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Class ^_V_i.4-_U 
Book. .D P- 7 

Gopightls^? 



COraRICKT DEPOSIT. 



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THE 

BOOK OF PARTIES 
AND PASTIMES 

MARY DAWSON 

AND 

EMMA PADDOCK TELFORD 




NEW YORK 
WILLIAM RICKEY & COMPANY 

1912 



a\ 



r, 






Copyright, 1912, by 

WILLIAM RICKEY & COMPANY 



Registered at Stationers^ Hall, London 
(All Rights Reserved) 



Printed in the United States of America 



PRESS OF WILLIAM G. HEWITT, 61-67 NAVY ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



£C!.A3J4013 I 



1 



ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

Miss Dawson wishes to thank the following maga- 
zines for permission kindly given to republish articles 
originally appearing in their columns : 

The Ladies' World, for— "A Suffrage Sociable." 

The Woman's Home Companion, for — "Reading 
Photographs," ''An American Beauty Evening," ''A 
Trip to Whistville," "Cards with Colors," "A Novel 
Shadow Dance," "Idea for College Dances," "Wed- 
ding Anniversaries," "A Real Candy Booth," "Flag- 
Raising for Charity," "A Food Show," "A Pro- 
gressive Jackstraw Party." 

Designer, for— "Our Horse Show," "A Radium Party,'* 
"A Ball Without Dancing." 

Good Housekeeping Magazine, for — "Forfeit Nuts,'* 
"A Matinee Euchre," "A Rubbering Party," "Yel- 
low Cat Party," "China Checks," "A Fudge Frolic/' 
"As You Like It Garden Party." 

Table Talk, for— -"A Mythical Hop," "Dance of 
Cards," "North Pole Dance," "Novel Ways to Serve 
Refreshments," "An Original Square Meal," "Class 
Baby Luncheon," "Successful Church Suppers." 

The Pictorial Review, for — "New Ideas for Church 
Fairs." 



INDEX 






page 


After Theatre Bites 


. . 178 


After Theatre Suppers . 


• 179 


Alice in Wonderland Party, An 


• 55 


Alpine Entertainment, An 


. 41 


American Beauty Evening, An 


. 102 


Animated ''Ads" .... 


. 77 


Art Auction, An .... 


. 88 


Ball Without Dancing . 


. . 98 


Boston Bean Party, A . . . 


. 61 


Bubble Bundle Party, A 


. 211 


Cakewalk, A Novel 


. 40 


Celebrity Party, A 


• 74 


Chocolate Drinking, A . 


. 165 


Christening Party, A . . . . 


. 212 


Church Fairs, New Ideas for . 


• 254 


Church Social, A 


. 263 


Church Suppers, Successful 


. 266 


Cinderella Evening, A . 


• 63 


Circulating Library, The 


. 89 


Class Baby Luncheon „ 


. 186 


Clothespin Social, A 


. 4 


Constellation Party, A . 


. 74 


Contests for Young Folks . .. :, 

V 


... 124 



INDEX 



Daisy Fete for Children, A 
Deep Sea Dinner, A 
Dictionary Party, A 
Dinner for a Girl's Birthday 
Dinners in Foreign Style 
Doll Reception, A . 
Drawing Party, A • 
Dutch Treat, A . , 
Entertaining Little Folks 
Entertaining One's Pastor 
Envelope Party for Children, An 
Experience Meeting 
Fan Sociable, An August 
Games for the Quick-Witted 
Games, Juvenile 
Garden Party . 
Garden Party . 
Golf Tee, A 

Historical Art Party, An 
Horse Show, Our 
Ideas for Card Parties 
Lemon Sociable, A . 
Letter Sociable, A . 
Limerick Party, A . 
Little Folk, Entertainments for 
Little Women Party, A . 
Luncheons After Card Games 
Mother Goose Party, A Grown-Up 
Musical Burlesque, A ,, 

yi 



page 
207 

183 

71 

159 

167 

201 

91 
16 

198 

182 

198 

73 

236 

no 
218 
238 

243 
23 
33 
19 

131 

27 

50 
46 

225 
12 

161 
84 



LfU 



INDEX 

Novelty Party, A . 
Old Glove Party, An . 
Omar Khayyam Entertainment, An 
Orange Party, An 
OuT-oF-DooR Merrymakings 
Parlor Snow Frolic, A 
Parties for Very Little Children 
Peanut Frolic, A 
Philanthropic Functions 
Picnic, A Mountain . 
Picnic Amusements . i. 
Picnic ''Eats'' . 
Picnic Lunch Basket 
Pins, Fun With 
Popcorn Party, A 
Postcard Party, A 
Presidents, To Meet Our . 
Progressive Musicale, A . 
Progressive Paper Tearing 
Progressive Travel Party 
Public Euchre, Nov^l 
Radium Party . 
Reading Photographs 
Refreshments for' an At-Home 
Refreshments, Novel Ways to Serve 
Refreshments, What to Serve for 
Rustic Social, A . . . 
Scotch Tea, A . 
Small Boys' Indian Party, A . 

vii 



5PAGE 

. 14 

. 80 

. 214 

. 220 

. 8 

. 204 

. 38 
.252 
. 249 
. 239 
. 245 

L., 228 

L^ 65 
58 
• 51 

. 59 

• 36 
. 105 

• 253 
. 94 
. 18 
. 163 
. 172 
. 152 
. 234 

. 175 
. 221 



[•J 



INDEX 



PAGE 



Society Puzzle, The 


•1 •■ 






• 92 


Some Novel Dances . 








• ^37 


Square Meal, A 








. 184 


Stag Dinner, A 








, 158 


Suffrage Sociable, A 








I 


Suppers in Chafing Dish , 








. 169 


Tea Party, A Novel . 








• 43 


To Meet Ann . 








54 


To Meet My Aunts . 








49 


To Seat a Company . 








93 


Trip to the Thousand Islands, A 






24 


Tour of the World, A Parlor . 






107 


Wedding Anniversaries . 






186 


White Elephant Party, A 


, 






44 



• •• 

VIU 



THE BOOK OF PARTIES 
AND PASTIMES 



A SUFFRAGE SOCIABLE. 

The Suffragettes and Antis request your presence 
at a Mass Meeting, to be held at 22^ Liberty Square, 
on the i^th of the present month. This Meeting is 
intended to decide once and for all the vexed question 
of the ballot for women. 

Thus ran the typewritten invitation, which bade twelve 
men and a corresponding number of young girls to an 
evening of mirth pure and simple. 

If any misgivings as to a serious convention lingered 
in the minds of the bidden guests after reading the an- 
nouncement quoted, such fears were promptly dispelled 
on entering the parlor w^here the Mass Meeting was called, 
and where mirthful sells arranged for the purpose kept 
all amused until the last comers were on the scene. 

For instance, a large placard with pointing index hand 
read, *This Way to the Polls," while in the direction 
indicated several curtain poles were seen stacked up. 
Pictures of prominent women of the day, clipped from 



2 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

the "public eye'' department of magazines, were mounted 
on sheets of cardboard and inscribed with flaring capitals : 



FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 

MRS. . 

FOR VICE-PRESIDENT, 
MRS. . 

Other placards urged those who ran and read to "Vote 
the Straight Ticket," etc., while a huge box marked 
Ballot Box, when investigated by the curious, proved 
to be full of soft caramels, obtainable by dipping in 
through an aperture in the lid. 

Soon after the last guest expected had arrived the 
various tests which were to decide the question of wom- 
an's enfranchisement began. To settle this important 
point it was not only necessary to ascertain woman's 
ability in masculine fields, but the ability of the men at 
need to help out the daily domestic round. 

Accordingly in the first frolic the men were given cards 
at the head of which were written such home captions as : 

"How I make my famous cherry pie. By Mr. . 



"My best recipe for delicious angel food. By Mr. 



"The perfect puff paste and how to make it. By 
Mr. ." 

With the cards went little sharpened pencils, and fifteen 
minutes were allowed in which to compose the formulas 
required by one's card, in competition for a prize. 

While the men were composing their recipes the girls 
were given cravats, with instructions to tie them in 
masculine fashion upon a dummy figure provided for 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 3 

the purpose by the hostess. At the end of ten minutes 
the recipes were read aloud and pronounced upon by 
the entertainer, an excellent cook, who awarded a book 
of chafing-dish formulas as a prize. The young woman 
whose cravat was manipulated into the most mannish 
appearing knot received a dainty lace jabot. 

In another competition five-cent doilies with simple 
floral designs stamped in outline were produced and dis- 
tributed among the gentlemen. Each recipient was 
obliged to work the one which fell to his lot, helping 
himself to colored floss, needles, etc., from the parlor 
table. While the men v/ere engaged in embroidering, the 
girls wrote five-hundred-word essays on Ideals in Politics. 
The successful male competitor in this contest was pre- 
sented with an embroidered sofa pillow, while the lucky 
lady received a pocket volume of essays. 

Laughable, too, was a round where the men exerted 
themselves to darn masculine socks, while the girls, blind- 
folded, tried to furnish a rampant Suffragette drawn on 
a sheet with the much-coveted ballot. The Suffragette 
was a female figure, drawn with crayon and tacked up 
in the open doorway. Players were required to reach 
the figure with eyes bandaged and to pin into one out- 
stretched hand a scroll marked The Ballot. 

The bachelor who was considered to have darned most 
successfully received a dainty *'hussif" well stocked with 
needles, thread, bodkins, thimble and other sewing aids, 
while the girl who furnished the Suffragette with the 
Ballot won a booklet treating of the first principles of 
housewifery in humorous verse. 

At the supper table the place cards were made to 



4 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

suggest ballot blanks with the name of the guest at the 
top in a line beginning, "I (Martha Green) vote for 

/' etc. 

By ordering ice cream molded in female forms, and 
herself fitting out each figure with a tiny flag with 
Woman's Suffrage in gold paint on it, the entertainer ob- 
tained a novel and very topical dessert. 



A CLOTHESPIN SOCIAL. 

For this frolic, which is guaranteed to keep your 
friends amused and interested for an entire evening, the 
only requisites are a generous supply of ordinary every- 
day clothespins and such refreshments as the hostess 
elects to serve. All sorts of games to be played with 
these modest laundry helps have been invented, and 
some of the best and liveliest are suggested here. The 
selection given is rather long for a single evening, so let 
each hostess read the entire list, selecting such as she 
prefers. 

THE CLOTHESLINE GAME. 

A Strip of new clothesline is stretched across the parlor. 
It should be just high enough to come on a line with 
the heads of the players. The ends are tied securely to 
hook screws on opposite walls. Divide the entire supply 
of new clothespins equally, and place in two open baskets. 
Two players enter the contest at the same time. Each 
one takes a basket and begins operations at opposite ends 
of the line. The fun consists in deciding which of the 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 5 

two can place the most clothespins upright on the line 
in the time allowed. There is a signal for the start and 
a time limit of three minutes. When the first competitors 
have decided the question of which is the better man or 
woman at laundry work, the name of the successful con- 
testant is written down on a blackboard for future refer- 
ence, while two more competitors approach the line. The 
pins are collected and another round begins. The cham- 
pionship, composed of the winners of all the different 
bouts, commences as soon as all the members of the party 
have had their respective turns. Winners play winners 
until but one player — the champion — remains. This per- 
son wins a clothespin cut from cardboard and gilded, 
which represents a point toward the final prize. 

CLOTHESPIN FISHING. 

For this a couple of washtubs filled with water, on 
which to float a number of ordinary clothespins, are re- 
quired. The players receive small wands having short 
pieces of cord attached after the fashion of fishing poles. 
The poles may be prettily decorated with bows of ribbon. 
Players are permitted to form the cord into any kind of 
loop which they think could be utilized in jerking a pin 
from the water, or are allowed to attach a bent pin 
thereto for the same purpose. At a given signal all 
gather around the tub and fish for the floating pins. The 
one capturing the most pins in fifteen minutes carries 
off the golden cardboard clothespin awarded in each 
round. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 



CLOTHESPIN DOLLS. 

For a children's clothespin party a merry half hour 
could be spent in dressing clothespin dolls. Water-color 
paints for making eyes, nose and mouth should be at 
hand, also a quantity of variously colored tissue paper, 
mucilage and scissors. Each child paints and decorates 
a clothespin according to fancy. The hostess considers 
the products critically, and awards a prize for the dolly 
that she considers most successful. When this award 
has been made, each child passes his or her doll to the 
next-door neighbor, who retains it as a souvenir of the 
occasion. 

FUN WITH PROHIBITED WORDS. 

Another way to spend a lively half hour is this : Divide 
all the clothespins at hand equally among all present, 
letting each one receive a generous supply. If it is not 
necessary to economize very strictly, pretty little baskets 
with ribbon-trimmed handles might be provided to hold 
the pins. Now explain to the assembled company that 
during the ensuing thirty minutes certain words in every- 
day use are to be barred out, and that any one using 
them is subject to forfeit. This forfeit is represented 
by a clothespin, which must be rendered up to the person 
detecting him in error. As examples of the words to 
be forbidden we will take '*yes," "no," "and," "he," "she,'' 
"it." The player athirst for spoils circulates about the 
room, engaging other players in conversation, and en- 
deavoring to lead them into verbal pitfalls. He must 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 7 

be wary at the same time to avoid the dangerous mono- 
syllables himself. Lost pins can only be won back by 
tripping up one's fellow players and securing some from 
their store. At the end of each ten minutes the forbidden 
words are changed. Those once prohibited become per- 
fectly legitimate, while others previously harmless are 
now fraught with danger. Many players will find it diffi- 
cult to remember just what terms are in order. A most 
amusing and laughable confusion is likely to result. The 
contestant having the most clothespins at the end of the 
game receives the usual point. 

CLOTHESPIN CROQUET. 

Again, a new version of croquet is possible, using the 
versatile pins. For this arrange here and there over the 
carpet little wickets composed of three or four clothespins 
each. Candlesticks or books placed upright will do for 
the stakes which mark the start and finish. The balls 
can be those belonging to a small parlor croquet set, or 
little rubber balls tiny enough to pass through the clothes- 
pin wickets may be substituted. If wooden mallets are 
not at hand, wooden spoons or walking sticks can be 
used to drive the balls. Players draw for the start. A 
player who drives his ball successfully through a wicket 
(these must be taken in order) without dislodging any 
of the clothespins that go to form the latter is entitled 
to another shot. He continues to play until some wicket 
is wrecked as a result of his stroke. When this occurs, 
the wicket is readjusted and the player awaits another 
turn. As in croquet, the player who first completes the 
round of the wickets wins the game. 



8 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



A GUESSING BOUT. 

All the clothespins in the room are gathered up and 
tumbled into a huge basket. If the hostess desires, she 
may add an extra dozen or two, in order to make cal- 
culation impossible to the guessers. Paper and pencils 
are distributed, and each competitor is asked to estimate 
the number of pins in the receptacle. 



A PARLOR SNOW FROLIC. 

While Jack Frost is enthroned in shimmering majesty 
out of doors a pretty home entertainment called a Parlor 
Snow Frolic can be arranged. 

For the invitations get the little holiday cards which 
sell for a penny apiece, one side of which is decorated 
with a "frosted'' snow scene, the reverse being blank. 

On the blank side write the notes, which may be word- 
ed as follows: 

"The presence of your company is requested by 
the Snow King, who will hold his court at 3243 
Arlington Avenue, Friday, Dec. 26, from 9 to 11. 
R. S. V. P." 

To prepare a court befitting his hoary majesty scatter 
green pine boughs with handfuls of raw cotton and 
shaved tinsei paper. The white coverlet of Mother Earth 
in frost season is simulated by a couple of old cotton 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 9 

sheets stretched across the floor and tacked down neatly 
so as to hide all vestige of boards or carpet. 

Over these sheets scatter green holly leaves and pine 
cones with a generous coat o£ diamond powder to give 
the effect of sunlight on snow. Shiny white paper muslin 
is even better than the sheets if the strictest economy is 
not actually necessary. 

With a little trouble a mammoth Snow Man can be con- 
structed to occupy one end of the room. An empty basket 
barrel makes a splendid base, with pillows molded round 
to form the head and the whole covered with thin strips 
of cotton batting. Eyes, nose and mouth are added with 
water-color or with black ink. 

In the body of the Snow Man a number of tiny pack- 
ages are concealed. Each package is labeled with the 
name of some expected guest. The little bundles may 
contain presents, toys, fortunes or jokes, as the hostess 
elects. 

Snowball throwing at a target is a good game with 
which to test the marksmanship of the company. Have 
the target black and for the snowballs use white rubber 
projectiles, which just previous to being thrown are 
rolled in a pan of flour or precipitated chalk. The white 
mark left on the target each time a ball hits the latter 
shows conclusively how close to the bull's-eye the marks- 
man came. 

For a prize in this contest give a calendar for the 
new year with "frosted" decoration. 

An icicle game will be found as interesting as it is 
picturesque. The icicles are twisted sticks of old-fash- 
ioned peppermint candy. Each stick has pasted to one 



10 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

end of it an inch or two of silver bebe ribbon with a bow. 
This ribbon serves to suspend the icicle from a silver 
cord stretched across the room. One by one the players 
are blindfolded, given scissors and sent to clip down an 
icicle. Any player accomplishing the feat may eat his 
or her icicle on the spot. 

Snow crystals form the basis of another contest. The 
shapes for these, patterned on the snow crystals seen 
under a microscope, can be obtained from any school- 
book on elementary physics. Cut them from eggshell 
cardboard, having each crystal about six inches in diam- 
eter. Cut each crystal in half and hide the halves sep- 
arately about the room. When the entertainer gives 
the signal by dropping a handkerchief the players begin 
to search for crystals. The two players first to secure 
halves which dovetail and to bring them to the hostess 
receive bonbonnieres in the form of snowballs filled with 
candy. 

Or, if a longer search is preferred, the prize can be 
awarded for the greatest number of crystals completed 
by any player. 

For a game of more intellectual plane try Snow Ques- 
tions. Write on squares of white tissue paper questions 
relating to certain literary snows — snow in poetry, ge- 
ography, and so forth. Crumple each paper and collect 
the various "snowflakes" in a basket or bowl. This 
receptacle is passed around the circle, each player taking 
a flake. 

Suggestions for a partial list of such questions are 
given below. 

Who wrote a poem called ''Beautiful Snow''? 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 11 

What was the Snow Image? 

Who wrote a fairy tale entitled "The Snow Queen"? 

Give briefly the scientific explanation of snow. 

Who were Snow White and Rose Red ? 

When all have answered or declared themselves unable 
to do so, all those who replied correctly draw for the 
prize. 

The appointment of the table for the Snow King's 
feast should be of dazzling whiteness. If possible, use 
china without any touch of color. Glass and silver fall 
in prettily with a snowy scheme. Candle shades should 
be of silver filigree, or white cardboard with tinsel trim- 
mings, or of white silk, with fringe of translucent beads. 

A snowball of white flowers, which any florist can 
supply at short notice, makes an effective centerpiece, 
especially if suspended just above the board with white 
ribbon or silver cord. 

Another suggestion is a basket of dainty shape enam- 
eled with silver paint and filled with feathery white chrys- 
anthemums. Or, to avoid e:^pense, a home-made cake, 
prettily iced in white, which can be placed on a bed of 
mistletoe. 

The supper could be limited entirely to white without 
any diminution of its deliciousness. The refreshments 
might begin with cream of oyster soup in white bowls. 
Place each bowl on a plate set off with a doily of silver 
lace paper. 

Cold sliced chicken, stuffed tgg salad (the yolks care- 
fully concealed) and pineapple or Swiss cheese sand- 
wiches wrapped in silver foil could form the main course.' 
Then ice cream in some white flavor, in cases of white 



12 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

tissue paper fringed with silver tinsel. Serve it with 
white iced cakes, except where there is the larger cake 
to be cut, and follow with hot cocoa, coffee and white 
bonbons. 

After supper the guests return to the parlor to assist 
in demolishing the Snow Man^ when, of course, the 
little souvenirs are found. 



A LITTLE WOMEN PARTY. 

In the way of a merry romp for a company well ac- 
quainted with each other, a novelty called a Little Women 
entertainment probably takes the party-giving cake. 

The idea originated with a bright girl, herself consid- 
erably under medium height, who explained her end and 
aims as follows : 

*'Small people are always at a physical disadvantage in 
the world, though mentally inferior to none. We can't 
reach car straps, are stifled in a crowd, to say nothing 
of being so much less imposing than those daughters of 
the gods, divinely tall. So I hit upon the plan of ar- 
ranging an evening where for the space of four hours 
the small person should be in the ascendant, the taller 
members of the community watching us carry off all 
the prizes." 

The result was a most amusing and laughable little 
party, which some other hostess, whatever her inches, 
may like to copy. Invitations were written on sheets 
of paper and enclosed in envelopes to match. 

As guests entered the parlor on the appointed evening 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 13 

the first object to greet their astonished eyes was a 
scales (rented for the occasion). 

Each arrival was politely requested, after a greeting 
by the hostess, to mount the scales and obtain his or 
her correct weight. He or she then received a pink ticket 
on which the result was written and which might or 
need not be shown to other guests, according as the 
victim elected. 

When all had arrived and had been weighed the tickets 
were collected and privately examined by the party-giver. 
The lady and gentleman weighing least of their respective 
sexes received prizes. In the case of the former this 
award took the shape of a tiny mirror to fit into the 
pocketbook, the lucky man receiving a thumbnail edi- 
tion of some classic work. 

The two heaviest members of the company were con- 
demned to write short essays **In Praise of Little People" 
and to read them aloud. 

When the fun of this absurd feature had somewhat 
abated, tape measures and footrules were produced and 
amid shrieks of laughter the height of every guest in 
the room was carefully taken. 

The shortest gentleman then took the lady of least 
inches as his partner and together they led a triumphal 
procession marching round the room. 

The procession terminated in an arch formed by the 
joined, uplifted hands of the remainder of the party, 
under which the smallest couple darted, showered with 
rice surreptitiously brought upon the scene. 

Naturally, each one of the couple received a prize. 

The masculine trophy took the form of a tiny magnify- 



14 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

ing glass, with attachment for suspending it upon a 
watch fob. The lucky girl received a silver photograph 
frame just large enough to hold a picture of the smallest 
size. 

The tallest couple received linen picture books recount- 
ing the adventures of Tom Thumb. 



AN OLD GLOVE PARTY. 

A CHARMING little suggestion for a "just girls' '* en- 
tertainment was discovered in an Old Glove Social. 

The invitations were most unique. They were made 
from heavy water-color paper, cut out and colored to 
represent a new pair of gloves, the color of the kid being 
different in every case. One side of the paper only was 
colored. On the reverse side appeared this invitation : 

My Dear Elizabeth : 

I hope you will be able to make one of us at an 
Old Glove Party at our house to-morrow week, 
February — , from 3 until 6 in the afternoon. Please 
bring your very oldest pair of gloves and a bright 
idea for transforming them into some pretty little 
article to be sold for the Crippled Children's Open 
Air Fund. 

Very affectionately yours, 

Edwina. 

On the day named twenty to twenty-five girls (who 
had previously R. S. V. P.'d) arrived at the house from 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 15 

which the symbolic gloved hands had proceeded. E^ch 
young woman carried a pretty workbag in which lay a 
pair of old gloves with morsels of silk, sachets and cotton 
wadding. 

The hostess then revealed the interesting fact that 
two prizes were to be given for the first and second best 
ideas in articles devised from old gloves. 

Dishes of bonbons were found on mantels and tables 
within easy reach and with these the workers refreshed 
themselves from time to time during their labors. 

By half past five from twenty to twenty-five newly 
made fancy articles plumed themselves upon the living- 
room table, each one docketed with the name of the in- 
ventor, to await judgment. While each of the articles 
was extremely dainty and well done, nothing overelab- 
orate had been attempted and nothing begun which the 
three afternoon hours could not see completed. 

The prizes in the contest were allotted by ballot, each 
girl voting for any production except her own. The 
votes written on slips of paper were taken up by the 
hostess, who passed around a basket for the purpose. 

The first prize was a lovely linen glove case in colored 
and embroidered linen. The second was an order upon 
a good shop for a pair of gloves to be selected by the 
prize-winner. 

Each girl who failed received a bouquet of sweet 
violets to console her for the defeat. 

Refreshments rounded up an exceptionally enjoyable 
afternoon. 



16 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

A DUTCH TREAT. 

A Dutch party, although neither formal nor expen- 
sive, affords great scope for novelty and for any origi- 
nality the entertainer may possess. Delft blue is the 
happiest choice in color schemes. 

Invitations should be on Delft blue paper or on white 
cards or note sheets decorated with windmills, Holland 
fisher folk, etc. They may be worded in funny broken 
English phraseology to presage the fun of the occasion. 
Following is a good form for them : 

Mine Frent: 

Come oudt und make pooty much fun with us at 
a Dutch Treat next Thursday efening, from 9 till 12. 
Andswer and respond, but come pooty quick yoost 
the same. Your frent, 

Gertrude Manning. 

You can obtain from shops which make a specialty of 
such goods crepe paper with white background, and a 
design of Holland maidens, windmills and sailing vessels 
in dark blue. This makes a pretty wall trimming. Any 
prints of characteristically Dutch views or figures will 
help out in the decorative scheme, as will also blue and 
white china, blue and white candle shades, etc. 

The refreshment table should be in blue and white, 
with either linen or tissue paper tablecloth, white bor- 
dered in blue. At either end of the table have a wooden 
shoe filled with natural tulips, and in the center a square 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 17 

bed of moss in which are stuck a number of the same 
kind of blooms, but in tissue paper. From these, narrow 
ribbons run to the covers of the guests. At the end of 
the meal each man or woman pulls a ribbon and obtains 
a flower, at the center of which a tiny gift is tucked away. 
The ladies also receive tissue paper headdresses of Dutch 
contour and the gentlemen small steins as favors. 

Of course, the games or contests must be in keeping 
with the plan of the evening. One of these might be a 
contest in copying the outlines of some Dutch print. 
The picture should be tacked up where all can see it and 
the little cards with pencils attached distributed among 
the company. Allow ten minutes for the sketching and 
award a pretty plate in Delft blue as the prize. 

Or the figure of a pretty Dutch girl can be sketched 
and colored on a strip of muslin by the entertainer. This 
is tacked up in the doorway, and each guest must try, 
blindfolded, to pin a wooden shoe on the girl's foot, 
which is visible (unshod) below her skirts. The shoe 
can be cut out of yellow paper or pasteboard. 

If the guests are of an intellectual turn pass around 
penny blankbooks and ask the company to write down 
as many interesting facts about Holland and its people 
as they can recall. At the end of twenty minutes the 
papers are read aloud. A prize may be awarded for 
the cleverest, but this is not necessary to the enjoyment 
of the contest. 

Or distribute squares of cardboard, with pencils, and 
see who can in fifteen minutes draw the most complete 
map of Holland, giving the principal towns and other 
points of interest. This will afford the amateur ge- 



18 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

ographers a chance to show flieir prowess. Give a large 
stein and a bonbonniere in the form of a Dutch girl as 
prizes, if these incentives are to be given. The former 
is the gentlemen's award, the latter the ladies'. 

To decide the question of places at table, cut the little 
Dutch figures out of advertisements (where they are so 
popular) and cut each ''ad" in half, some across, some 
diagonally, some through the center. Put one set of 
halves in one basket, the other in another, and let men 
and women draw from the different baskets. (Postal 
cards with Dutch design can be used in the same way.) 
Those whose halves match are partners and go in to 
supper together. 

READING PHOTOGRAPHS. 

A YOUNG woman who had just moved into a new 
community and formed a new circle of acquaintances 
devised this contest. She handed each member of the 
company the photograph of a person presumably un- 
known to the recipient. The men were given girls' 
photos, the girls were given those of men. Each re- 
ceived at the same time a card and pencil with a request 
to write a description of the photographed subject, de- 
scribing color of the eyes, hair, complexion, and so on, 
also to formulate a character from the features. Twenty 
minutes was appointed for studying the pictures and 
writing out the character. After this the descriptions, 
etc., were read aloud. The hostess being personally 
acquainted with the subjects, then decided which merited 
the prize — a photograph frame. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 19 



OUR HORSE SHOW. 

Invitations to the affair, which were in the form of 
posters, were typewritten and were worded somewhat 
Hke the following: 

GRAND HORSE SHOW. 

To occur on Monday evening, November 13, at 
Brown's, on the Tingleytown Road, at 8.30 p. m. 
The order of exhibits will be as follows : 
First — Private view of stalled entries. 
Second — Naming the horses. 
Third — ^Reporting the gowns for the papers. 
Fourth — Hunting the horseshoe. 
Fifth — Distribution of blue ribbons. 

The first feature of the show was a very absurd one. 
For it we roped off a certain space along one side of the 
room, subdivided it into stalls and sprinkled the floor 
with hay. In each stall we put a horse — of some kind. 
One was a clothes-horse. It wore a sailor hat and coat 
to carry out the name. Next in line a rocking-horse. 
Attached to this was a placard reading : "Wooden Horse 
of Troy (for further information see Homer)." Another 
exhibit was a saw-horse. A large toy horse borrowed 
for the occasion from the nursery, when gorgeous pink 
tissue paper wings were added, became the wonderful 
Winged Horse, Pegasus. A battered-up tin horse on 



20 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

rollers was entered as Maud S. There were in all about 
a dozen entries. 

NAMING THE ENTRIES. 

When the private view had been duly enjoyed the 
game of naming the horses was introduced. This we 
had prepared for by cutting from magazines and news- 
papers a number of pictures of horses, as diverse as 
possible. They ranged from the jaded sufferer of the 
huckster cart or the large-headed equine of the comic 
papers to the bucking bronco of the prairies or the slim, 
blooded hunter. We mounted each of these pictures on 
thin cardboard, and, having identified each with a num- 
ber, arranged the set on easels around the room. 

To play the game each man or girl was given a pencil 
and paper on which to write down his or her choice in 
names for the horses. At the end of twenty minutes 
the papers were collected, and points counted according 
to a previously arranged system, which was as follows: 

Any horse who received the same name from two peo- 
ple counted two points for each of the two people naming 
it. A horse named in the same way by three people 
counted three points for each of the three; four times, 
four points for each person, and so on. 

As the company was a large one and the horses num- 
bered about twenty, the repetitions of their titles were 
very amusing. One sorry-looking nag was dubbed 
Maud S. no less than four times, and another hardly 
less dilapidated thrice received the title of Hector. Four 
other entries were similarly named twice. 

As prizes we gave little silver stamp-boxes decorated 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 21 

with a horse-head, riding crop and other equestrian 
insignia. 

GOWNS SEEN AT THE HORSE SHOW. 

This was followed by reporting the gowns. Here we 
distributed among the company little cards ornamented 
by pictures of smartly dressed girls, which had been 
clipped from the fashion columns of the newspapers, and 
tinted gaily with water-colors. Below which were writ- 
ten the following puzzles — without the answers, of course 
— which are here given for the convenience of the hostess. 
Each card had a pencil attached with ribbon : 

One gown was a long-haired Peruvian animal : Alpaca. 
Another was a loud noise : Crash. A third was a symbol 
of worldly sacrifice: Nun's- veiling. A fourth was one 
of the painter's materials: Canvas. There was one an 
amphibious creature : Duck. And one, hills in Scotland : 
Cheviot. There was also one of a rising billow: Surge 
(serge). And another of a grassy sward: Lawn. A 
walking-suit was of something secret: Covert. While 
next to it was a costume composed of a dwelling and 
wove: Homespun. One was a spotted mountaineer: 
Dotted Swiss. Arrived and a good friend made up an- 
other: Came Brick (Cambric). To spice and sweeten 
wine was another: Mull. And one was an isthmus: 
Panama. A musical instrument and a Scotch river in 
combination gave the last toilette: Organ Dee (organdy). 

We awarded a subscription to a popular fashion journal 
as the ladies' prize in this contest, while a book on horses 
was the men's reward* 



22 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



HUNTING THE HORSESHOE. 

The good luck horseshoe emblem was utilized for one 
of those merry search games which are always so much 
enjoyed. From a sheet of silver paper or tinfoil we cut 
a quantity of tiny silver horseshoes about an inch in 
diameter. These were hidden in all available nooks and 
crannies around the room. When the signal was given 
every one began to search for good luck in horseshoe 
form. There was also a cardboard horseshoe much larger 
than the silver ones and colored blue; a real horseshoe 
gilded, and a number of little horseshoe-shaped cakes 
which were to be eaten up as soon as found and which 
counted nothing in the awarding of prizes. The blue 
horseshoe counted five and the gilt one ten; the little 
silver shoes counting one point apiece. A paper weight 
CK the form of a horseshoe and a pincushion in the like 
•appropriate shape were prizes here. 

DISTRIBUTING BLUE RIBBONS. 

Blue ribbons were distributed in the next half hour 
for prowess in drawing horses. All present received 
slips of paper on which they were requested to draw 
with eyes shut a likeness of the topic of the hour. 

We prepared absurd little souvenirs of the occasion 
by cutting ginger cookies in equine shape, the horse cake 
beloved of childhood days, and tying each with blue 
ribbon. We presented these souvenirs as each guest took 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 23 

his or her departure, expressing a hope that our guests 
"might not suffer any hoarseness as a result of the party." 



A GOLF TEE. 

For lovers of golf a new frolic has been discovered 
which costs little to get up, either in time or coin of the 
realm, and which has been found extremely enjoyable by 
more than one golfimaniac. Invitations are issued on the 
fancy note paper sold by most large stationers, in which 
the surface of the sheet is covered with a Scotch plaid 
design in delicate colorings. 

The parlor is converted into a fair green by stretching 
green baize or green paper muslin over the floor and 
banking the walls with leafy boughs. 

When all have arrived each guest receives a golf 
score card or score book in which are written the ques- 
tions given below. The answer to each is a golf term 
which players are required to find. The person whose 
list is completest at the end of three-quarters of an hour 
could receive one of the popular bonbonnieres in the 
shape of golfing girls filled with sweets. 

THE GAME. 

Part of a celebrated American hill : Bunker. 
A letter of the alphabet: T(ee). 
Requires a carriage: Drive. 
Found at the top of the barn : Loft. 
Risks: Hazzards, 



24 Book of Parties mid Pastimes 

Possessing *'cheek" : Brassey. 
A refreshing beverage: Tea (tee). 
A vessel to hold the foregoing in a dry state : Caddy. 
That from v^hich it is drunk : Cup. 
A shed for swine and a personal pronoun: Sty-me 
(stymie). 
Entire, complete: Whole (hole). 
A social or philanthropic society : Club. 
Noise made by a fowl : Gobbler. 
Two parts of the foot: Heel, Toe. 
To abstract by dishonest means : Steal, 



A TRIP TO THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 

A NEW and interesting question game founded on the 
names of the different islands of the world map arranged 
as riddles makes a delightful basis for an entertainment 
at any time of the year, but especially for a stay-at-home 
social on the porch. 

In order to let the guests into the secret from the 
first the little notes can be worded somewhat as follows : 

My Dear Miss Blessington: 

I hope you can accompany us on a Trip to the 
Thousand Islands, which is to start from our porch 
next Thursday at 4 o'clock. The trip through the 
islands will last only about an hour, but I shall hope 
for the pleasure of your company at tea afterwards. 

Cordially yours, 

Edith Wormley. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 25 

The hostess and any one assisting her to receive should 
wear sailor suits and yachting caps. Any steamer chairs 
which can be borrowed or hired add to its picturesque- 
ness. A nautical pennant can be hung in front of an 
electric fan to flutter noticeably in the breeze. 

The following riddles are written on cards, of which 
each member of the company receives one. Blanks are 
left opposite the riddles, in which players write the an- 
swers, as they suppose them to be. 

THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 

What islands are always sold at lunch counters? 
Sandwich. 

What island is always verdant? Greenland. 
^ What island is a bright British coin? New Guinea. 

What island was recently discovered? Newfoundland, 
v/ What island should be able to supply plenty of frozen 
refreshments ? Iceland. 

What island is always wrathful ? Ire-land. 

What island offers a peculiar form of the cup that 
cheers? Hay-ti (hay tea). 

What island gives a very discourteous greeting to vis- 
iting ships? Ceylon (sail on). 

What island is a girl's name differently spelled? Sicily. 

What island should abound in sweetmeats? Candia. 

What island is rough and unrefined ? Corsica. 

What island should furnish canned fish? Sardinia. 

What island is a pine tree? Cyprus (cypress). 

What island should maiden ladies make a point of visit- 
ing? Isle of Man. 



26 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

What island is handsome, expressed slangily? Bute. 

What islands have no common sense? Scilly Islands. 

What island is peopled .entirely with the Caucasian 
race ? Isle of Wight. •:/ ' 

What islands claim forfeits with presents? Philippines. 

What island abounds in driveways? Isle of Rhodes. 

What islands are also small singing birds? Canary. 

What islands are always in debt? Ionian (I owe). 

What island is six-sided? Cuba. 

What island is against all expense? Anticosti. 

What island is slow about things? Long Island. 

What island in former times received many celebrated 
heads ? Block. 

What island is always being hunted? Deer Island. 

What group should always have a pleasant breeze? 
Windw^ard. 

What island is feared for its jumping and kicking? 
Kangaroo. 

What island should assure good eating? Cook. 

To what islands should we look for great wisdom? 
Solon. 

At the end of an hour the hostess collects the little 
cards and compares the answers with those on her own 
list. 

Books of travel should be awarded for the two best 
lists. Primary grade ''geographies'' covered with gaudy 
calico v/ould make amusing boobies for those judged least 
successful. 



Book of Parties and Fastimes 27 

A LEMON SOCIABLE. 

A COOL little frolic for a summer day and one suitable 
for either a few friends or a company of twenty or thirty 
is a Lemon Party. 

Have the porch or parlor, whichever is to be the scene 
of the frolic, decorated with pale lemon-colored tissue 
paper. Oriental lanterns in this tint can be used (un- 
lighted for an afternoon function), and almost any kind 
of yellow flowers at hand arranged in jardinieres. 

A small branch of evergreen or other tree is planted 
in a pot of earth to simulate a growing shrub and to 
this are attached a number of little natural lemons tied 
with red or blue ribbon. 

Each lemon has been hollowed out and filled with raw 
cotton, and in the raw cotton is buried a little five or 
ten-cent gift. At one stage of the fun the players are 
blindfolded and sent one by one to cut down a lemon. 
The* gift found in the fruit cut down belongs to the 
person cutting it. If any player fails to clip a fruit in the 
required time — ^that is, about three minutes — he or she 
receives no gift. 

Another game consists in seeing who can in three min- 
utes string on a thread the largest number of lemon 
seeds. These seeds are brought upon the scene in a bowl 
and must have been carefully washed and dried. 

Give some simple prize in pale yellow for the longest 
string. 

Another laughable contest would be one in which the 
guests outvie each other in making humorous animals 



28 Book of Parties and Fasiufus 

out of lemons. Tire hostess should provide a tray con- 
taining soft-shell nuts, small fruit, raisins, prunes, cur- 
rants — anything of the kind which can be gathered up 
at the time — with a quantity of wooden toothpicks and 
w^ire hairpins. P'ifteen minutes is given for fashioning 
the animals out of these materials. The player whose 
animal raises the loudest shout wins the prize. 

A papier-mache lemon filled with sweets makes a good 
prize. 

Again, there is a lemon race in which two persons 
playing at the same time try each to outclass the other 
in rolling a lemon over a certain course with a lead 
pencil. A pretty lemonade pitcher might be the prize 
here. 

Refreshments will, of course, fit the occasion. Among 
them should figure cold lemonade with lemon ice or ice 
cream and lemon layer cake. Lemon sticks of the old- 
fashioned sort might be passed around as an accompani- 
ment. Or, if the entertainer wishes to offer souvenirs, 
she can purchase tiny glass jars of lemon candy. To 
each with yellow ribbon tie a little card with the day and 
date of the entertainment on it. 



A VIOLET PARTY. 

The pretty motif of the violet can be made the basis 
of a parlor frolic at once easy to prepare and delightful. 

Tinted note sheets delicately perfumed with orris root 
and having (if the entertainer possesses even a slight de- 
gree of .skill with j)en and color box) wee spravs of 



Book of Parlies and Pastimes 29 

the blossom replacing the inonogram are sent as invi- 
tations. 

Arriving guests find the room prettily festooned with 
crepe paper in pale violet color, relieved here and there 
with touches of green. A rather pale shade of violet 
should be selected in order to avoid too somber an effect. 
Mantelpiece, tables and window seats are decorated \vith 
bowls of natural violets. 

Here and there around the room, sometimes pinned 
upon the wall, are seen a dozen or more of small objects 
or pictures having numbers written upon them, or at- 
tached in some way. Among the puzzling exhibits are: 

A picture of Napoleon. 

A stone with moss on it. 

A toy bank. 

A card with a quotation from Tennyson, reading : 

**And from his ashes may be made 
The violet of his native land." 

A book entitled ''Lenten Meditations." 

Cardboard cut to represent a huge canine tooth. 

A bottle of violet perfume or a box of violet powder. 

The purpose or meaning of these little objects is not 
made known until the last guest has made his or her 
appearance. When all are on the scene violet-colored 
cards with violet-colored pencils attached are distributed 
and players are informed that in each exhibit marked 
the discerning mind will find some reference to a violet. 
These references, which embrace legend, poetry or his- 
tory, are to be guessed for a prize. 



30 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

For the sake of hostesses who wish to copy the pretty 
idea I had better explain the various allusions: 

The picture of Napoleon recalls the fact that this was 
the great general's favorite flower, the emblem of his 
followers, and suggests his pet name of Corporal Violet. 

The stone with moss on it (or it can be touched with 
green paint) recalls the celebrated — 

'^Violet by a mossy stone, 
Half hidden from the eye.'' 

The toy bank alludes to the Shakespearean song : 

"I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows, 
Where oxslips and the nodding violet grows/' 

The Tennysonian quotation is an allusion to the famous 
legend of Ion, the mythical ancestor of the lonians. 

The book of Lenten Meditations suggests the violet 
hue of the penitential season. 

The cardboard tooth is to be translated the dog-toolli 
violet. 

The perfume bottle is intended to recall the Shake- 
spearean verses: 

"To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, 
To throw a perfume on the violet." 

Twenty minutes are allowed for working out the an- 
swers. At the end of that time the lists are collected by 
the hostess, who awards as a prize for the best the bottle 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 31 

of violet perfume. This might be presented with the 
laughing suggestion that the Shakespearean moral as 
to overelaboration be observed by the recipient. 

By way of a change the next froHc can be less intel- 
lectual. For it the entertainer produces several of the 
ten-cent violet-making outfits now sold in all toy shops 
for kindergarten purposes, and each man or girl is called 
on to produce with the aid of the pattern the best violet 
in his or her power. A violet satin covered with sachet 
ornamented with a water-color design of violets is the 
prize here. 

The violets prepared in this game can be utilized in a 
merry scramble contest. 

They are mounted on long wires by the hostess and 
stuck upright in various positions around the room. 
Thus, a certain number are embedded in the carpet, more 
in the crevices of chairs, one each in the various vases, 
et cetera. 

The company is asked to fall into line, and the hostess 
or some one else who does not enter the game begins 
a merry tune on the piano. To this the company march, 
clapping time. 

Whenever the nuisic stops, which is always suddenly, 
as in Going to Jerusalem, players dart from the line and 
hastily pick as many of the artificial violets as possible. 
The moment the music is resumed they must return to 
the line and proceed with the march. Any one seen 
plucking a violet after the music sounds again is de- 
barred from the prize. The merry exasperation of being 
obliged to discontinue when a flower is just within reach 
and the general scamper to return to the line makes the 



32 Book of Parlies and PasUmes 

game an exceedingly laughable one. The player col- 
lecting most violets during the scramble might receive 
a pretty glass vase "for holding violets." 

Another amusing contest on a different order is ar- 
ranged for in this way: A pound of violet-colored can- 
dies, preferably the smooth sugar-coated almonds in violet 
tint, is heaped up in the center of the table on a square 
of clean tissue paper, also violet. Each player receives 
a teacup and a pair of the little bonbon spoons which all 
confectioners keep in stock. 

From the top of the pile floats a wee penny flag. The 
fun consists in having each player in turn remove a candy 
from the pile, banishing from the ring each person who 
removes a candy which results in a tumble of the flag. 
The tongs are, of course, used to lift the bonbons from 
the pile. After the dismissal of a player the candies are 
again piled up and the game continues as before. Little 
by little the number of players is reduced until but one 
remains. This person is declared prize-winner. The 
prize might take the form of a violet-colored box con- 
taining all the almonds used in the competition. 

Again, the men and girls can be blindfolded one by 
one and led to a blackboard, where they are given a piece 
of chalk and asked to draw a violet with leaves. Owing 
to the sightless condition under which the artist labors 
the drawing will provoke much fun. Give a blotter dec- 
orated with violets as prize for the best and a bunch of 
tissue paper violets as booby. 

The table for the supper, which follows close upon the 
conclusion of the games, abounds in violets. The center- 
piece is a species of Jack Horner pie made of a cheese- 



Book of Parties and Paslirnes 33 

box and surrounded with violet and green tissue paper. 
This is filled with natural violets and over its sides 
hang a number of violet-colored ribbons. At the conclu- 
sion of the supper each man or woman pulls the ribbon 
nearest to his or her cover and receives a boutonniere or a 
bouquet, as the case may be. 

AN HISTORICAL ART PARTY. 

To GIVE **an historical art party/' as originated by a 
bright Vassar girl one evening not long ago, it is not at 
all necessary to be an artist or to be erudite in matters 
of history. 

Quick wits and a knowledge of familiar historical anec- 
dotes are the only requirements for carrying ofif a first 
prize. 

This new entertainment has the advantage over most 
others in being very easy to prepare for. All the arrange- 
ments could be completed in half an hour's time. 

A blackboard and a box of colored chalk are the first 
things to be secured. The blackboard is hung upon the 
wall of the drawing-room ; if possible, in such a position 
that it can be seen from all points of the apartment. 

A number of cards with pencils attached by loops of 
ribbon — one card for each guest — are next in order. 
These cards have written upon them, one below the other, 
as many numbers as there are guests. 

In this way, if the players number twelve, the numerals 
from one to twelve inclusive should be written upon the 
cards. 

Twelve numbered .*Jips of paper, each one of which 



34 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

gives the name of some scene in history, complete the 
preparations. 

The following list of scenes, which has been tried and 
found excellent, will illustrate the kind of historic event 
to be chosen. It should be of that class which have 
become household words to English-speaking people : 

I — The landing of the Pilgrims. 

2 — King Alfred scolded by the peasant w^oman for 
burning her cakes. 

3 — Shakespeare reading before Queen Elizabeth. 

4 — Walter Raleigh spreading his cloak before Queen 
Elizabeth. 

5 — Isabella pawning her jewels to get money for 
Columbus. 

6 — Paul Revere's ride. 

7 — Washington crossing the Delaware. 

8 — Princes in the Tower. 

9 — Death of Sir Philip Sidney. 
ID — Braddock's defeat by the Indians. 
1 1 — The great fire of London. 

12 — Fair Rosamund receiving the fatal cup from 
Eleanor. 

Each guest, on arriving, receives one of the numbered 
cards and selects at random a slip of paper. The subject 
written upon the slip one receives must not be divulged 
to the other players. 

When all guests have arrived and all slips have been 
distributed the fun begins. 

The player holding slip number one is asked to walk 
to the blackboard and draw there, using the colored chalk, 
the scene named upon his slip. 



Book of Pmim and Pastimes 35 

Ten minutes only are allowed for completing the mas- 
terpiece. Lack of any great artistic skill so far from 
spoiling the game only serves to render it more amusing. 

While the drawing is in progress the other players 
watch the board from a respectful distance. At the end 
of the allotted time all gather around the picture and 
guess what scene in history is there intended. This over, 
the holder of slip number one is sent to the board, num- 
ber three follows, and so the game continues until the 
last number is exhausted. 

The guesses are, of course, registered upon the cards 
opposite the appropriate numbers and kept strictly secret. 

After the twelfth picture has been executed and puzzled 
over the cards are collected and corrected by the hostess 
according to the original list preserved for the purpose — 
the player who comes nearest to twelve perfect answers 
winning first prize. 

Photographs of famous pictures representing scenes 
from history make delightful awards. So do well written 
and well illustrated books upon historical subjects. 

A **Life of George Washington'' or ''Story of Na- 
poleon Bonaparte'' in words of one syllable and printed 
on linen is sure to provoke fun as a booby. 

This new and bright scheme for a party can be adapted 
to many varieties of entertainment. It is just as success- 
ful in a large "church social" as in the little home affair 
among a dozen friends. By reducing the scenes to spir- 
ited stories of American history it can also be made the 
nucleus of an ideal amusement for little people. 



86 Book of Parties and Pastimei 



PROGRESSIVE PAPER TEARING. 

For the neighborhood club meeting* some time try the 
Progressive Paper Tear. 

The hostess who wants to give her friends a merry 
evening at slight cost could not find a better idea. Best 
of all, the progressive tear does not require a moment's 
preparation. While preparation is often interesting and 
delightful, it occasionally happens that there is no time 
for it, as, for example, when guests come in unexpectedly 
and an impromptu contest is required. 

Before beginning the game the hostess should announce 
the different classes of objects to be torn. The first round 
could be animals, the second flowers, the third kitchen 
utensils, the fourth any objects in the room where the 
party is being held, the fifth profiles of famous person- 
ages. There may be from five to ten classifications, ac- 
cording to the time allotted. 

Each player is given a sheet of white paper of similar 
size and texture. Plalf sheets of white note paper are 
best. The player, having received his sheet, draws his 
chair to the table, which must be large enough to seat the 
entire company. All players hold their paper under the 
table so that they cannot watch their handiwork, and tear 
out any object of the class given. Thus, under ''animals'' 
anything from a hedgehog to a giraffe may be designed ; 
under '^furniture" anything from a footstool to a side- 
board ; under ''flowers" such antipodes as the violet and 
the magnolia. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 37 

Trickery of the right sort is entirely permissible. At 
the original paper tear one "artist'' tore an animal which 
all persons in the party failed to guess. He announced 
it a whale, which he insisted was not a fish, but a warm- 
blooded marine animal. 

When every one has torn his or her object he writes 
a number given by the hostess upon one side of the art 
product. Pencils and penny note books are then dis- 
tributed, and the torn-out objects are passed from hand 
to hand. Each player examines the representation as 
it passes and writes down the nature of it as nearly as 
he can discover. The papers are tlicn collected by the 
hostess and each player is called upon to declare the 
subject of his work of art. 

The tcarer having the greatest number of correct 
guesses as to other players' productions gains one point. 
The artist whose tearing out is pronounced cleverest is 
also given a point. 

The respective merits of the various pieces of work 
are passed upon by the hostess, and each round is car- 
ried out in the same way; that is, by tearing, guessing 
and awarding points. 

The profile feature is productive of so much fun that 
it should never be omitted. At the original party a hearty 
laugh resulted when the players discovered three General 
Grants, two Sitting Bulls, three Abraham Lincolns and 
six Napoleons figured among the portraits, no two of 
which bore any discernible resemblance to each other. 

When all classifications have been torn and guessed, 
at least tw^o good hours will have taken unto themselves 
wings, The hostess now counts up the points and awards 



38 Book of Parties and. Pastimes 

the prize. If desired, the points won by tearing and 
guessing can be kept separately and two prizes awarded. 

A pretty paper knife might be presented with the ex- 
planation that, although the prize-winner has been re- 
markably successful in tearing paper, he or she may 
some time in the future prefer to cut it. A smart leather 
portfolio for holding note paper is another appropriate 
prize. 

To carry out the paper motif still further, the supper 
table may be daintily tricked out in tissue paper. The 
centerpiece could be flowering pink primrose, the pot 
covered in pink tissue. Bonbon dishes, of crinkled paper 
in the same pretty tint and filled with pink bonbons, 
stand at the four corners. Japanese paper napkins are 
folded daintily at each cover. Ice cream is served in 
tissue paper boxes, and the charming scheme carried 
out in a variety of little ways. 



1^ 



A PEANUT FROLIC. 

Dear Miss Jones : Accept a hearty 
Welcome to our peanut party. 
Next Thursday night at half past eight; 
We trust youVe free that hour and date. 
Twill be informal, like this rhyme — 
Just peanuts and a jolly time. 

The foregoing rhyme makes an amusing form of in- 
vitation for one of the peanut parties now so popular. 
It should be written in pencil on squares of tissue paper 
to be enclosed in peanut shells. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 39 

The fun of the evening usually begins with a peanut 
search, the plan of which is generally familiar. Wrap 
a few of the nuts in squares of red, white or blue tissue 
paper and let each of those when found count two of 
the ordinary kind. Give a box of peanut brittle as a 
prize. 

Then a lively race, in which each man or girl receives 
a nut, which must be rolled over a certain course with 
a lead pencil. Give a pretty desk or bureau box, filled 
wath peanuts for the time being, to the most successful 
racer. 

Again, arrange peanut stab, in which a number of nuts 
are set afloat on a washtub filled with water, and players 
endeavor to spear them with hat pins. Prize for the 
greatest number speared. 

Have one contest in which each player tries to "grab" 
as many peanuts as possible at one time in the right 
hand. Prize for the biggest grab, and forfeit for the 
smallest. Or a lady and gentleman can play as partners 
and their grabs count together. 

Now, try this : Each guest thrusts the right-hand palm 
down in a bowl of peanuts, scooping up as many as pos- 
sible on the back of his hand. He is then supposed to 
walk rapidly around the room, carrying on his hand all 
the nuts scooped up. The person who brings most nuts 
to the goal wins the prize. 

Or have a big basket of peanuts and let the players 
guess how many it contains, awarding a prize for the 
best guess. 

Too much peanut flavor in the supper menu would 
prove cloying, but a few dainties made from the nut 



40 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

M'ould be appropriate and agreeable. Peanut butter sand- 
wiches make a dainty relish. The nuts themselves, salted, 
could appear as hors d'oeuvres and peanut taffy might 
accompany the coffee. 



A NOVEL CAKEWALK. 

Cut from sheets of cardboard as many rectangular 
cards as you expect players. Cut two little holes at 
the top of each square and draw ribbon through these, 
tying in a bow. In each ribbon insert a small safety pin. 

Now, from advertisements, fashion plates, and from the 
newspapers clip the following pictures, each of wliich rep- 
resents a different kind of cake. Tlius: 

A bride or an orange blossom design. Bride cake. 

A mountain covered with snow. White mountain cake. 

A figure of a woman. Lady cake. 

Small rubber sponge. Sponge cake. 

A hen. Lay-er cake. 

Mew of the Capitol at Washington. Washington cake. 

Pugilists boxing. Pound cake. 

Any picture or object gilded over. Gold cake. 

Picture of any marble statue. Marble cake. 

Coft'ee pot. Coffee cake. 

A tin cup. Cup cake. 

Picture of the rising sun. Sunshine cake. 

Picture of woman's hand. Lady fingers. 

Picture of a corn field. Corn cake- 
Picture of lovers embracing. Kisses. 

As the friends arrive pin on each a puzzle card. Pen- 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 41 

cils and paper are distributed at the same time. When 
all have appeared on the scene the game begins. 

Allow half an hour for working out the pictured rid- 
dles, and give a chocolate-coated cake (with appropriate 
inscription, as "You Take the Cake/' in white icing) for 
the best set of answers. 



AN ALPINE ENTERTAINMENT. 

When other ideas for simple afternoon entertainments 
fail, invite your girl friends to accompany you in a 
mountain-climbing expedition. 

The entertainer should wear a long linen duster and 
traveling cap, but no special setting is necessary for the 
fun. ^ 

For the contest get as many little blank books as you 
expect players, and cover with turkey red to imitate the 
guide books. On each one paint in gold ink the title : 

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING. 

By an Expert. 

In the books are written the following puzzles, which 
guests must work out for a prize. 

A nice set of photographic views of Switzerland, the 
land of mountains, might reward the cleverest riddler. 
Refreshments are served in small wicker baskets, packed 
as for a picnic. 



42 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB. 

The two ranges in which newspapers are printed? 
Black and White. 

The mountains furthest away from us? Mountains of 
the Moon. 

The most verdant mountains ? Green. 

The mountains most dangerous to navigation ? Rocky. 

The hills which make good cloth suits ? Cheviot. 

Mountains depressed in spirits? Blue. 

The Texas mountains which could take a scalp? 
Apache. 

The mountains which are also a fabulous giant ? Atlas. 

The American mountain which makes bread and rolls? 
Mount Baker. 

The mountains which should be able to blow a blast? 
Big Horn. 

Spanish mountains which make a good soap? Castile. 

An American range which is a waterfall? Cascade. 

Mountains which are fatal to felines? Catskill. 

A mountain in New Zealand which can prepare a din- 
ner ? Cook. 

The mountain in Tasmania which belongs exclusively 
to babies? Cradle. 

The Irish mountains which are ever sad? Mourne. 

A mountain in Cape Colony seen in every dining-room ? 
Table. 

Turkish mountains which are a sign of the Zodiac? 
Taurus. I 

An American mountain which is also one of America's' 
greatest sons? Washington. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes ^43 

This list can be greatly augmented when desired by 
consulting any school atlas and working up further puz- 
zles from the maps. 



A NOVEL TEA PARTY. 

A TEA PARTY makes a quiet and pleasant entertainment 
for women or girls entertaining friends of their own 
sex during the afternoon. 

Invitations are written on cards decorated with water- 
color sketches of the **cup that cheers/' and the fragrant 
brew itself, either hot or iced, according to season, forms 
part of the refreshment. 

Serve dainty sandwiches or fancy cakes with the bev- 
erage. 

To amuse your friends pass around cards having writ- 
ten on them the following riddles and ask the company 
to guess and write down the various 

BLENDS OF TEA. 

The tea with most ice in it? Frigidity. 
The tea of the brave ? Intrepidity. 
The tea of the slow of wit? Stupidity. 
' The tea of the ridiculous? Absurdity. 
The most genuine tea? Authenticity. 
The tea of the untruthful ? Mendacity. 
The tea of the savage ? Ferocity. 
The tea of the modern wizard? Electricity. 
The tea of rubber ? Elasticity. 



41 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

The tea of those who are worried? Anxiety. 

The tea of the powerful ? Mighty. 

The tea of the town? City. 

The tea of the good housewife? Thrifty. 

The tea of the proud? Haughty. 

The tea of more than one? PluraHty. 

The tea of the generous? LiberaHty. 

The tea of the prompt? PunctuaUty. 

The tea that lasts longest? Durability. 

The tea that cannot be seen? Invisibility. 

The tea of the generally talented ? Versatility. 



A WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY. 

Unfortunately to most people the term "white ele- 
phant" requires no elucidation. Each of us has tucked 
away in some corner an article he or she would gladly 
throw away were it not for the feeling of wastefulness 
involved. 

Tht lamp, in the form of a death's-head, won in the 
church raffle; the huge book of views brought back by 
Aunt Jane, when as a member of the local Chautauqua 
Club she visited Niagara Falls; the picture of a bulldog 
presented by a former neighbor in moving out of the 
neighborhood; the statuette of Mazeppa's ride; the bell 
of wax flowers worked by Cousin Sue, which bobs up 
whenever you tidy your cupboards — all such monstrosities 
are available for the frolic, and a lively evening they af- 
ford among people who know each other well. 

The invitations are decorated with sketches of ele- 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 45 

phants. You can, if you like, precede the formal wording 
by a jingle on the following plan: 

Twenty white elephants, going for a song; 
Have you an elephant? Pass it along. 
Wrap it and mark it — no name, if you please ; 
You'll get rid of your burden with laughter and ease. 

The object of the fun is to pass off your objectionable 
possession upon some other member of the party, who 
in turn tries to victimize a third person, and so on. 

Each article should be daintily wrapped up. The player 
effects the exchange first and examines his treasure (?) 
afterward, for, perchance, were its contents known it 
would not be accepted at all. 

Ribbons or cards must be loosely tied in order that 
each article can be readily examined. 

Don't have the passing begin until all expected guests 
are on the scene. After which a beil is rung as a signal. 

An hour and a half should be allowed. Until this time 
has elapsed no white elephant is final property, if the 
player wishes to go on exchanging and can find some 
one to exchange with. Whatever object is in the player's 
hands when the final bell sounds he must keep and take 
at least from the house with him. 

However, if any player is so well pleased with a white 
elephant which comes into his possession before the final 
bell that he thinks it would not be improved upon, he 
may withdraw from the scramble. 

No prizes are necessary, although if the entertainer 
desires to present inexpensive souvenirs she may do so. 



46 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 



A NOVELTY PARTY. 

Novelty parties are an innovation and a very pleasant 
one. Nothing could be simpler to get up. The idea is to 
ask each guest to come, bringing with him or her a nov- 
elty of some sort to contribute to the evening*s amuse- 
ment. 

Given from ten to twenty-five people, each with some- 
thing new to exhibit and to talk over, an evening that 
does not "drag'' is practically assured. 

The novelty exhibited may be any little device picked 
up in the shops. Or some one may elect to bring the 
plan or outfit for a new game which all can play. A 
new book from which selections can be read is worth 
thinking about. The chafing-dish expert may concoct 
his or her latest dainty, and the recitationist will make 
the room ring with laughter induced by a recent mon- 
ologue. A new card trick, puzzle or mystification scheme 
will prove a passport to the fun, as will also a new song 
to be tried on the piano. Those who passed pleasant 
vacations traveling w^ill have gathered up some souvenir 
of the trip to help along the programme. 

No prizes are necessary in this entertainment, but the 
entertainer should endeavor to have a few novelties, edible 
or decorative, to set oflf the refreshment table. 

A LIMERICK PARTY. 

Nowadays, when everybody is collecting limericks and 
memorizing them for their own amusement and that of 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 47 

friends, and when the man or girl with a new set of 
limericks is the Hon of the group, an entire afternoon or 
evening when guests are expected could be devoted to 
frolics in which nonsense rhymes play first fiddle. 

Ask your guests to come prepared to recite a limerick 
apiece, having this effort the best that can be gathered 
in for the party. 

Write the notes in limerick form. This will add im- 
mensely to the fun. The following is just an example of 
how such a rhyme might go : 

A lady in Avenue A 

Invited some friends in one day j 

'Twas all foolish rhyme. 

But they had a nice time. 
And some said 'twas good as a play. 

When all have arrived the hostess calls a roll of her 
guests, and each man or girl, as his or her name is called, 
must rise and recite the limerick brought along for the 
purpose. One or more prizes is awarded here. 

Animals in pink and white candy make laughable 
boobies. 

Another lively game is arranged as follows : 
. The hostess cuts from cardboard or sheets of note paper 
a number of small slips. On each of these a line from 
some well-known limerick is written, the remainder of 
the list being, of course, completed on other slips. 

Heap the slips in a pile in the center of the table and 
let all endeavor during the next twenty minutes to com- 
plete as many limericks as possible. This is done by 



48 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

matching them after the manner of the children's game of 
Sliced Animals. 

The prize is awarded for the greatest number of non- 
sense rhymes completed in this time. 

Now pass around penny tablets and pencils for a con- 
test in forming original limericks, which, as the players 
cannot have prepared for it, will be great fun. 

Have each one write on his tablet five words you have 
previously selected, which should be as antipodal as possi- 
ble in meaning. Three of them rhyme together, the re- 
maining two being rhymes also, but not rhyming with the 
first three. Example: — 

Foochow, White Cow ; Madame, Salaam ; Bow-wow. 

The player who constructs the cleverest limerick in ten 
minutes, using these words to terminate his lines, receives 
a prize. 

Less exacting, but on the same order, is the game for 
which the subject only is furnished, not the rhymes. Thus, 
players may be asked to write a limerick on Robinson 
Crusoe, or **A girl from Bologna,'' or ''A man who wrote 
verse.'' The boobies could be penny whistles. 

An amusing feature of the supper to follow the games 
could be original limericks to be composed on the different 
guests (without names) and attached to the backs of 
chairs. The guests try to discover by the rhymes which 
chairs they are intended to occupy. 

Nothing unpleasantly personal must be attempted, of 
course, but the harmless fads and pleasant characteristics 
of each convive should be merrily hinted at. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 49 

TO MEET MY AUNTS. 

The title of this new and inexpensive merrymaking 
involves a pun. 

The hostess inserts a clause in her notes of invitation 
inviting friends '*to meet my aunts." If she is not known 
to be the possessor of any such female relations in the 
flesh, connections from a distant city are to be entertained. 
At least that is the conclusion to which the future guests 
will jump. 

Any questions as to these unknown relatives which 
friends may ask between the issuing of the invitations and 
the date of the party are given an evasive answer. 

The fun of the evening consists in a lively puzzle game 
founded on words terminating with the sound of ''ant" — 
as restaurant. Some of the many aunts which can figure 
appear in the following list : 

MY AUNTS. 

My aunts where I dine. Restaurant. 

My aunt of letters. Consonant. 

My vivacious aunt. Piquant. 

My aunt who is agreeable. Pleasant. 

My aunt when asleep. Dormant. 

My aunt who lacks education. Ignorant. 

My giddy aunt. Flippant. 

My aunt who makes good jelly. Currant. 

My waiting aunt. Attendant. 

My unmusical aunt. Discordant. 



50 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

My army aunt. Lieutenant. 

My aunt at a standstill. Stagnant. 

My royal aunt. Regnant. 

My aunt when angry. Indignant. 

My dangerous aunt. Malignant. 

My aunt who rules. Dominant. 

My aunt who shares. Participant. 

My traveling aunt. Itinerant. 

My sweetest aunt. Fragrant. 

My notorious aunt. Flagrant. 

My aunt who is a tramp. Vagrant. 

My despotic aunt. Tyrant. 

A long list including almost any number of aunts de- 
sired can be worked up from a rhyming dictionary. This 
short list will give the idea. 

The two players who at the end of about three quarters 
of an hour have guessed most aunts are prize-winners. 

The gentleman coming out ahead can receive a well- 
bound handy dictionary "which contains all the aunts.'' 
The lucky girl could receive one of the popular Aunt 
Dinah sewing cases, that is a black doll w^hose voluminous 
skirts contain various sewing necessaries in handy form. 



A LETTER SOCIABLE. 

A PARTICULARLY jolly entertainment I once attended 
was called A Letter Sociable, where the fun consisted in 
writing letters on subjects proposed by the entertainer, 
with a prize for the cleverest. 

There were twelve guests, and consequently a dozen 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 51 

subjects. These were written on separate sheets of paper, 
just across the top of the sheet. Among them were such 
amusing absurdities as : 

Letter of congratulation to a country cousin who has 
just been elected President of the United States. 

Letter of congratulation — or condolence — to an Ameri- 
can mother whose daughter has just married a European 
title. 

Letter describing a trip in a flying machine. 

Letter to a person you don't like who has just inherited 
a million dollars from an unforeseen source. 

The papers with subjects written on them were passed 
around among the company. When the bell rang all 
began to write letters on the subjects allotted to them. 

Signal was given by bell at the end of twenty minutes 
to announce the end of the competition. Of course, the 
letters were read aloud. A book of published letters of 
Mrs. Browning or other celebrity was awarded as a prize. 



TO MEET OUR PRESIDENTS. 

So RICH in interest and so varied is the history of our 
country's Presidents that an evening both interesting and 
worth while can be spent with them. A patriotic holiday 
is appropriate time for this celebration, but it can be suc- 
cessfully given on any other day of the year as well. 

Festoon the parlor with red, white and blue bunting or 
tissue paper caught up with cartwheels or rosettes of the 
same. Red, w^hite and purple asters or other flowers in 
season, arranged in bowls or vases, help out the color 



52 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

scheme. Tie back the window curtain with tricolor and 
hang up a picture of Washington and those of as many 
of his successors in the Presidential chair as you can 
collect. 

Write the invitations on the picture postals, where 
tiny portraits of all the Chief Executives occur as in a 
group. 

Begin the entertainment with an ingenious question 
game, of which the following is an illustration: 

QUESTIONS. 

What President had a son who became President? 
John Adams. 

Who was this son ? John Quincy Adams. 

Who was the fifteenth President ? James Buchanan. 

What Vice-President became President when Taylor 
died ? Fillmore. 

Who followed Garfield? Arthur. 

What President fought the last battle of the War of 
1812? Jackson. 

During what administration did the Louisiana Purchase 
occur ? Jeflferson's. 

Under what President was the War of 1812 begun? 
Madison. 

What President outlined a famous foreign policy? 
Monroe. 

What two Presidents died on the same day? John 
Adams and Thomas Jefferson. 

Who said in dying: ''This is the last of earth; I am 
content''? John Quincy Adams. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 53 

What three Chief Executives were assassinated ? Lin- 
coln, Garfield, McKinley. 

What Presidents were generals in the Mexican War? 
Taylor and Pierce. 

During what administration did the annexation of 

Texas and the Mexican War take place? James K. 

Polk's. 

/" Give a pink ticket representing one point towards the 

I general prize to the player answering most of these 

\ correctly. 

\^ For the second contest arrange on a circular table small 

^objects which represent the campaign emblems of the past 

Presidential struggles, for the players to identify. To 

each emblem tie a tag with a number or letter on it. 

Examples of the emblems follow : 

Toy bank in log cabin form. Wm. Henry Harrison. 
' Small toy rooster. ''Cock that hasn't crowed in thirty 
years." Cleveland's struggle. 

Wood cut to represent rails. Lincoln, the ''Rail 
Splitter." 

Keg labeled "Hard Cider." W. H. Harrison. 

Large beaver hat. "Grandfather's hat." Benjamin 
Harrison. 

Bows of silver and gold ribbon. The coinage struggle 
— gold versus silver. 

Dinner pail well filled. McKinley-Bryan campaign. 

Carnation pink. McKinley 's last term. 

Give a second ticket to the man or girl most successful 
in naming these emblems. 

Another entertaining round is Presidential nicknames. 
The questions are written on cards with blanks opposite 



54 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

for the answers. The following queries will show the 
possibilities of this contest, though they are far from ex- 
hausting the list. 

Who was called — 

Rough and Ready? Zachary Taylor. 

Rail Splitter of the West ? Abe Lincoln. 

Hero of New Orleans? Andrew Jackson. 

Old Man Eloquent? John Q. Adams. 

Canal Boy? Garfield. 

Northern Man with Southern Principles? Buchanan. 

Tippecanoe? W. H. Harrison. 

Honest Abe? Lincoln. 

The best list is rewarded here as in the foregoing con- 
tests. 

For the last competition provide pencils and paper and 
see who can in ten minutes write the names of all our 
Presidents in the order of their succession. Ticket as 
before. 

Give a bronze desk ornament representing the head of 
some President as a first prize, and a book of Lincoln's 
sayings for the second best. If all players winning cards 
win the same number, all such are entitled to draw for the 
prize. 

TO MEET ANN. 

For an elderly or middle-aged assembly, or for a club 
of young people who are actively engaged during the day, 
a question game makes a pleasant evening pastime. 

A simple social of this kind is arranged by sending out 
invitations *'to meet Ann" on such and such a date. Some 
oi the Anns introduced to the guests are : 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 55 

Ann sna^ and dang^us? Anaconda^ ^ . .. 

Ann now active in Russia? Anarchy. 

Ann with poetic feet ? Anap^st. 

Ann Hving as a hermit? Anchorite. 

Ann with an unattractive figure? Angular. 

Ann among the spring wuld flowers ? Anemone. 

Ann telhng a short story ? Anecdote. 

Ann on her birthday? Anniversary. 

Ann full of life and spirits? Animated. 

Ann coming every year ? Annual. ^ 

Ann of English birth ? Anglican. 

Ann holding a ship? Anchor. 

Ann and her forefathers? Ancestors. 

Ann with some one else? Another. 

Ann with an opponent ? Antagonist. 

Ann making reply? Answer. 

Ann at the South Pole? Antarctic. 

Ann who lived before the Flood ? Antediluvian. 

Ann old and out of style? Antiquated. 

Ann singing church music. Anthem. 

Ann jumping to a conclusion? Anticipate. 

Ann with strong natural aversion ? Antipathy. 

Ann in a teasing mood? Annoy. 



' AN ALICE-IN- WONDERLAND PARTY. 

Some bright person has found a new idea in nonsense 
parties for adult assemblies. It is an Evening with Alice 
in Wonderland, the hostess impersonating the heroine of 



56 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

the immortal book and all the amusements of the pro- 
gramme bearing in some way upon the story. 

Invitations are in the following mysterious form: 

"Alice presents her compliments and begs to an- 
nounce that she will take another trip through the 
looking-glass into Wonderland on Monday, Janu- 
ary — . The pleasure of Miss Jane Fleming's com- 
pany on this journey is cordially requested The 
party will enter Wonderland from 226 West AI- 
lington Avenue at 9. p. mJ' 

The guests as they arrive are welcomed by Alice, at- 
tired to represent the child pictured in the earlier editions 
of the famous books. The company is greeted in the hall 
or in some outside room, the living-room being reserved 
for Wonderland. 

The doorway between these two apartments is filled 
with transparent tissue paper smoothly drawn and pasted 
over the entire open space. This represents the famous 
looking-glass. 

When everybody has arrived a clock should chime mid- 
night or some other unexpected hour. Lights are turned 
low, and, preceded by Alice, the company passes through 
the tissue paper into the Land of Dreams. 

On a table near the door as they pass through is a 
huge dish of cake marked ''Eat Me." Each guest takes a 
piece and obeys the injunction. Though the marvellous 
eflfects of the edibles found by Alice in her journey are 
not guaranteed, it will create fun. A little later on, a table 
with a large medicine bottle is encountered. This bottle 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 57 

is labeled "Drink Me'' and grouped around it are tiny 
glass cups. The magic draught, which every convive 
may taste if he likes, strangely resembles cold lemonade. 

When the mysteries of Wonderland have been 
thoroughly explored the guests will enjoy a question 
game of Alice quotations, which consists in identifying 
familiar sayings from the two iVlice books. Examples 
of such quotations are: 

Who said 'The time has come to think of many 
things'' ? 

Who said ^'There's nothing like hay when you feel 
faint"? 

Who said ''Jam yesterday and jam to-morrow, but 
never jam to-day"? 

A copy of ''Alice in Wonderland" would make a nice 
prize. 

Another entertaining contest might be arranged by 
seeing who can in fifteen minutes write down the longest 
list of characters from the books. 

When refreshment time arrives, Alice, of course, in- 
vites her friends to a "Mad Tea Party." 

The table "cloth" is fashioned of newspapers with deep- 
ly fringed border. Each viand is absurdly named on a card 
which is stuck upright in the dish itself. Thus sand- 
wiches are placarded "Lobster Croquettes," and in pass- 
ing ice cream the guest is asked if he or she will partake 
of the "rice pudding." 

For a centerpiece get three or four of the tiny feather 
dusters which sell for a nickel apiece, plant in a flower 
pot, furnish with tissue paper leaves, surround the pot 



58 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

with crinkled tissue paper and tie with ribbon. It will 
make a verv funnv decoration. 



A POSTCARD PARTY. 

The idea of the postal, either pictured or otherwise, is 
used as the keystone of a new frolic and all the games 
hinge upon the same popular means of communication. 

Invitations for once are written on postals. 

Some time in advance of the arrival of her guests the 
party-giver secures a dozen or so of picture postals repre- 
senting different buildings, places of interest and cele- 
brated natural wonders in different parts of the globe, the 
names are erased from these, and they are tacked up on 
tlic wall, numbers in rotation being added for identifica- 
tion purposes. When the contest is in order pencils and 
papers are distributed and the players are invited to guess 
the nam.es of the places and things represented. A post- 
card album would make a good prize. 

Literary or art celebrities could be secured and hung up 
for guessing in the same way. 

Or secure as many postcards as you expect guests. 
Clip each card into six or eight pieces and place the 
pieces in an envelope which is afterwards sealed. At a 
given signal each player opens the envelope he has re-. 
ceived and endeavors to form a picture by readjusting 
the pieces. The man or girl first to accomplish this feat 
wins a prize. A rare postal would make a catchy selec- 
tion in the way of rewards. 

Then pass penny postals without pictures and call on all 



Book of Parties and Pastimes .59 

present to compose imaginary messages to some friend. 
The writer of the most amusing composition should re- 
ceive a prize. 

Another idea is to distribute picture postals and have 
each player write a four-line couplet on the subject 
drawn. The blank space on the card is to be used for 
the composition. Bestow a prize for the cleverest or 
most amusing verses. 

Then, too, an exciting scramble results when arranged 
for in this v/ay : One-fourth as many postals are needed 
as you have players. Cut each card into four pieces and 
jumble together in a basket. Each person receives one 
piece, and when the signal is given he or she begins a 
search among the pieces held by other players for the 
fragments which will complete that in hand. The four 
persons who first meet and match pieces correctly draw 
for a prize. This is delightfully exciting. 

If a supper follows, postals can be employed as place 
cards indicatin.g the seats of the different guests Sou- 
venirs could be little sachets of white or cream-colored 
satin decorated to represent postals. 



A PROGRESSIVE MUSICALE. 

When entertaining musicians or music lovers it is a 
good plan to devote but one part of the programme to 
vocal or instrumental selections, varying the end of the 
evening with jolly games. These games can have a 
musical flavor, and when carefully planned are excellent 
fun. 



60 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

To lead off the programme, roll in upon the scene a 
circular table on which are articles each of which when 
guessed w^ill give som.e term in music. A good selection 
would be: 

Small-sized envelope, sealed, addressed and stamped? 
Note. 

Yardstick or tape measure ? Measure. 

Some pitch in a saucer? Pitch. 

Picture of a water front? Quay (key). 

Some fish scales ? Scales. 

Balls of different-colored twine? Chords (cords). 

A heavy walking-stick? Staff. 

Knife with exposed blade? Sharp. 

Base of a pedestal or column cut from picture? Bass. 

Hunting picture with barred gate ? Bars. 

Head-rest or footstool ? Rest. 

Each object has a card with a number attached to it for 
purposes of identification, and fifteen minutes is allowed 
in which players may walk around the table and write 
down the answers. Sheet music would make a nice 
choice for the prize. 

Then suggest to your guests the game of Symphony. 
Here paper and pencils are passed and each endeavors 
to see how many other words he can form by twisting 
the letters of the word Symphony. A framed likeness of 
some great master of symphonies makes an appropriate 
prize gift. 

Again, pass around from ten to twenty of the penny 
prints representing the masters of the world of melody 
and see who can name most of them correctly. Give a 
plaster cast of Wagner as prize. 



Book of Parties and Pasiivies 01 

If there is time for a little advance preparation the 
entertainer should write eight or ten very brief outlines of 
the plots of as many famous operas, omitting all names. 
These are read aloud and guests endeavor to say what 
musical dramas are represented. 



A BOSTON BEAN PARTY. 

Dried beans aplenty and in all colors — ^red, white, black 
— ^are the foundation of this truly delectable entertain- 
ment. The amusement consists of a series of six tables at 
each of which is arranged a new game played with the 
beans. Tally cards of the conventional sort are distrib- 
uted for keeping score. 

At the first table each player receives a glass filled with 
beans of all colors. Beside the glass lie two steel knit- 
ting needles with which it is required to take the beans 
from the glass and divide them into heaps as to color. 
The two players first to empty their glasses in this way 
progress. Beans are mixed again and glasses refilled be- 
fore players leave the table. 

At the second table the players receive empty tumblers, 
and, as before, knitting needles. In the center of the 
table is a large bowl of mixed beans. A player must 
have only beans of one color in his tumbler. The two 
persons first to fill their tumblers in this way progress. 

At the third stage players find a huge pile of beans in 
the center of the table, surmounted by a penny flag. Each 
player receives a pair of confectioner's sugar tongs (tin). 
Each player must remove a bean from the pile in turn, 



62 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

using the long's. This goes on in rapid succession until 
some one, by extracting* a bean, overthrows the flag. This 
person is then ''out'' and ceases to play. The pile is 
readjusted and the game continues as before until another 
player overthrows this flag. When two players are **out'' 
the remaining two receive stars and progress. 

The fourth table requires a bowl of beans of any color, 
a tablet and pencil When the signal sounds, each player 
in turn thrusts his hand into the bowd, ''grabbing'' as many 
beans as possible. The beans secured in each grab are 
counted and the number written down opposite the play- 
er's name on the tablet. Each man or girl grabs three 
times. The number of beans in both, these grabs repre- 
sents a player's score. The two players having best 
scores win a prize. 

At the fifth table have an empty basket and twenty-five 
beans for ^ach player. The basket is placed in the center 
of the table, and each person, ranging his beans in front 
of him in a row, tries to flip them one at a time into the 
basket. The thumb and forefinger are used for flipping. 
The two pers.ons who prove to be most successful as flip- 
pers progress. 

At the sixth table have the jolly game of matching. 
For it each player receives a little calico bag filled with 
beans of different colors in irregular quantities. Each 
player holds the bag on his lap and shakes out the beans 
one at a time without seeing them. The bean shaken 
out in each case is placed on the table. The second player 
follows with a bean which he also did not see. If this 
bean matches the preceding one, he receives both. If 
not, the third player deposits a bean. This continues until 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 68 

some one throws a matching bean, when all on the table 
belong to him. In fact the game is practically Slap Jack 
played with beans, and without the noisy slapping feature. 
The number of beans should be the same in all bags. The 
irregularity spoken of relates to color only. 

Books on Boston and Boston views, or bonbonnieres 
filled with bean-shaped candies, make good prizes. The 
supper menu should include baked beans. Have a cake, 
too, in which half a dozen beans are baked and let those 
who discover them in their slices of the cake receive sou- 
venirs. 

A rousing game of Bean Bag played doubles would 
bring the evening to a fitting close. 

A CINDERELLA EVENING. 

A DELECTABLE little party that has recently come out for 
the younger contingent is knov/n as a Cinderella function. 

Bearing in mind the moral concealed in the celebrated 
tale of the same name early hours are in order, and no 
matter when the fun begins it must observe the command 
of the fairy by being at an end before midnight at latest. 

The hostess should so arrange her programme that sup- 
per or refreshments come not later than ii o'clock. 

If novel invitations are desired the note sheets can be 
decorated with sketches of pumpkin chariots drawn by 
scampering mice, or by clocks with hands pointing to the 
fateful hour of midnight. Again, slippers can be cut 
from white cardboard and the invitations written on these, 
or the cards may be shaped like clocks with the necessary 
wording. 



64 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Contests, all of them founded in some way upon the 
story of Cinderella and her cruel stepsisters, make up the 
evening's frolics. 

For one of these the girls stand behind a sheet which 
is hung to just escape the ground by a few inches all 
along, and lifting their skirts to their ankles display their 
feet. Paper and pencils are distributed among the men 
of the party and each man must guess to whom each pair 
of slippers belongs. It will facilitate matters if large 
numbers are written with charcoal on the sheet and if the 
girls range themselves back of these, in order that the 
guessers may identify their names by numbers. 

The young man guessing most names correctly wins a 
prize, which he will present to some lady of his choice 
among the company. This could be a dainty slipper bon- 
bonniere in white or pink satin filled with candy. Such 
candy boxes are obtainable at most stores dealing in these 
goods. 

For another merry game pass squares of cardboard 
with tiny pencils and ask each member of the company to 
draw the clock face which meant so much in the fate of 
poor Cinderella, placing the figures in their proper places 
and using the correct numerals, et cetera. This is much 
more difficult than it sounds, as anyone who has tried to 
draw a clock face without the aid of a dial to copy well 
knows. Give the story of Cinderella in rhyme with 
colored pictures as a prize. 

Another version of the drawing game is to send each 
player to the blackboard in turn and have him or her 
draw with colored chalks a portrait of Cinderella, award- 
ing a prize for the most wanning likeness. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 65 

A novel Hunt-the- Slipper game, too, would help along- 
the fun. For this, one of the little slipper candy boxes, 
or better still for variety's sake, a slipper-shaped pin- 
cushion, is hidden somewhere around the room, the com- 
pany being sent temporarily into the hall. The person 
finding the slipper when the doors are reopened retains 
it as a prize. If it is discovered by one of the men he will 
probably wish to bestow it upon some girl among those 
present 

The Cinderella supper table can be made very pretty 
and effective. The centerpiece represents the pumpkin 
coach from which the heroine's finery was evolved by the 
fairy's wand. For the body of the coach use a large 
pumpkin, real or one of the artificial ones sold in Hal- 
lowe'en season. Add wheels of cardboard which need 
not support the body of the coach, however, and attach it 
to four little mechanical mice. 

Serve the ices in slippers cut from paper or cardboard 
and lined with paraffine paper. For favors give the girls 
little long-handled matinee mirrors. The men's souvenirs 
can be fairy wands made by rolling silver penholders or 
pencils in gold paper and surmounting each with a gold 
paper star. If these gifts are too expensive roll the gold 
paper around long candy sticks or chocolate cigarettes, 
using the stars in the same way. 

A POPCORN PARTY. 

The girl in search of a bright idea for her party might 
like to hear about and to copy a charming little affair 
given by two sisters. 



66 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

The function in question was a popcorn frolic with 
decorations in pink and white, the fun consisting in a 
series of games, contests and love divinations played or 
carried on with grains of corn. 

The decorations of the room were specially pretty. 
Long ropes of pink and white popcorn strung on coarse 
thread were swung from corner to corner across the 
room, being looped up here and there into graceful fes- 
toons tied with bows of pink and white tissue paper rib- 
bon. Ears of corn wired together alternated with the 
lighter festoons. 

Close by the door through which the company entered 
the parlor stood a table holding an immense punchbowl 
filled with pink and white popcorn. This bowl was sur- 
mounted by a placard having the laconic inscription, 
''Help Yourself/' while wee bags of striped paper strongly 
reminiscent of the circus, and a silver ladle, enabled each 
person to avail himself of the permission. 

First on the programme came an animated little feature 
called by the young hostesses Popcorn Jewelry. Each 
member of the party received a needle threaded with a 
yard or so of heavy sewing cotton. The bowl of popcorn, 
still far from exhausted, was placed on the table within 
handy reach, and each gentleman was invited to make for 
some lady a necklace by stringing the corn, each lady be- 
ing called on to fashion a gentleman's watchfob at the 
same time, on the same plan. Each jeweler carried his or 
her own ideas with regard to the grouping of colors and 
general design. 

The hostesses acted as judges, awarding a real watch- 
fob to the winning gentleman, while the lady whose 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 67 

watchfob was pronounced most successful won a bead 
necklace. After the award of the prizes each gentleman 
bestowed the necklace of his making on any lady he de- 
sired to honor, receiving her jewelry in return. These 
ornaments were, of course, worn prominently displayed 
during the evening. 

For another lively round a basket filled with ears of 
popcorn was passed, each member of the party being in- 
vited to take one. Those intended for the gentlemen 
were tied with white ribbon, those for the girls with 
pink ; pink and white being the colors of the evening. The 
hostess at the same time distributed wee finger bowls. At 
a given signal, the ringing of a little handbell, everybody 
began to shell the popcorn into the bowls. The gentle- 
man and lady first of their respective sexes to finish shell- 
ing their ears received prizes. 

When the excitement and fun of this feature had sub- 
sided six corn-poppers were brought upon the scene and 
the company, numbering twelve, were invited to camp on 
the carpet in the vicinity of the large, old-fashioned fire- 
place. In each popper were placed twenty-five grains of 
popcorn. Half of those present — three girls and three 
men— were given the poppers with which to learn their 
individual fates. For a divination and not a prize was 
here intended. At the tinkling of the bell the poppers 
were thrust simultaneously into the heat of the fire. 

The fate-seeker in whose popper the first grain burst 
would, It was interpreted, be first of the number to be- 
come engaged. Especial significance would attach if the 
first burstings should happen in the hands of a gentleman 
and a lady. The player whose popper showed most mi- 



68 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

popped grains at the end of the round would never marry 
or would do so late in life. It will usually be found 
necessary, unless an unlimited supply of poppers is at 
hand, to divide the company into relays for this frolic. 

The foregoing could, by the way, be used equally well 
for a prize game if it is decided to have all the features 
contests. Thus a point is awarded to the competitor in 
whose popper the first grain bursts and another for the 
best showing of edible white pieces when the game is 
over. 

The person having most unpopped pieces must expiate 
this by a forfeit. Those who have exchanged necklaces 
and watchfobs could be considered partners here, their 
respective points counting together and the prize going to 
the lady. 

A jolly blindfold game was also much enjoyed. Here 
a cord was stretched across the room a little above the 
head of a guest of average height. To this were tied six 
or seven pretty pink and w^hite popcorn balls, rendered 
festive with balls or ribbon. Every one, man or girl, was 
blindfolded in turn and sent to untie one of the popcorn 
balls. Three minutes were allowed in w^hich to accom- 
plish this feat, and any one successful in the attempt both 
retained his popcorn ball and had the privilege of draw- 
ing for the prize. 

Corn-dropping, too, was found to be great fun and was 
new to most of the company. For it a vase having a 
rather small opening at the top was placed on the carpet. 
Each player then received three grains of corn. Holding 
these in his hand, he ran three times around the room, 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 69 

timed by the hostess, trying each time he passed the vase 
to drop a grain of corn into it. 

The most grains successfully landed by any person rep- 
resented the victory. 

Two or more people scoring evenly drew for the prize. 
A popular new novel was awarded as prize here. 

The test of lifting grains of corn from the table to a 
bowl placed in front of each competitor was the cause of 
another animated scramble, for the reason that the lifting 
had to be done with matches held like chopsticks, in op- 
posite hands. 

Twenty grains were allotted, and at tlie ringing of the 
bell the process of steering the grains into the bowls be- 
gan. The man or girl first landing the twenty grains was 
declared prize-winner and received a pretty flower vase in 
Bohemian glass. 

A Popcorn Hunt could be substituted for this feature 
if preferred for any reason. In this case, quantities of 
unpopped grains are hidden here, there and everywhere 
around the room. The company is divided into pairs, and 
each pair receives between them a little basket, tied in 
pink and white ribbon. When the bell rings, the players 
begin searching for the concealed grains, each pair of 
partners, of course, working together to fill their co-part- 
nership basket. The prize goes for the greatest number 
of grains. 

A Popcorn Race was another trial of skill introduced 
at the original affair. For this the players are divided 
into two sides, each of them having a captain at its head. 
A large bowl, brimming with kernels, is set at one end 



70 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

of the room, and two empty bowls, smaller in size, one 
apiece for each of the sides, at the other end of the line. 

On a signal, previously agreed to, each leader, his right 
arm thrust behind him. thrusts his left into the corn, lifts 
as many pieces as possible on the back of it and runs the 
length of the room, depositing the grains (or trying to do 
so ) in the bowl allotted to his team. 

All the players follow suit in turn, the sides alternating, 
and the members of the side having most corn in their 
bowl at the conclusion of the game draw for a prize. A 
nice box of molasses popcorn candy is the reward in this 
instance. 

The last feature of the fun required equal agility on 
the part of the players. Three ears of popcorn were ar- 
ranged oti the carpet at one end of the room. Each 
player in turn was armed with a wooden spoon and sent 
to collect these, one by one. using the spoon to dip them 
up. Any one accomplishing Ih.is feat within the given 
time was eligible to draw for the prize. 

The little supper that followed had to be mainh prc- 
f)ared in advance and was therefore of a simple character, 
yet dainty and sufficiently substantial for a cold evening, 
such as the one on wdiich it was given. 

There was tomato bouillon, served in cups, with little 
toasted water crackers. Club sandwiches, surrounded on 
the plate with (home-made) potato chips. The sweets 
were pineapple water ice, with cake and winter pears, 
stewed in sweetened sherry and when cool sprinkled with 
chopped blanched almonds. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 71 



A DICTIONARY PARTY. 

A BRIGHT woman devised a Dictionary Party, which is 
worth describing as something out of the usual run, and 
easily arranged. 

On entering the drawing-room we all received little 
cloth-bound note books, with the words ''Webster's Un- 
abridged'' emblazoned on the covers in gold paint. 

All the contests were of a literary turn and adapted in 
some way from the dictionary. The first, I believe, con- 
cerned the derivation of words. We found written in the 
little books twelve common words, of which we were 
asked to explain the root. Such words as ''trump" and 
"adventure'' made up the list. The person giving most 
answers correctly won a little leather-bound dictionary as 
a prize. Of course, an unabridged dictionary Vvas at hand 
for reference. 

Words the exact meaning of which is not generally 
understood, might be substituted for required derivations. 
"Lurid," "livid," "allude," the verb "to muse" and the 
like, are good suggestions. 

Then we had a spelling-bee on a new plan, for all the 
words had to be spelled backwards, players moving up 
and down as in a spelling match. As may be imagined, 
this game kept us all on the jump and provoked a deal of 
fun. A handy book, giving a Hst of words frequently 
misspelled, was the prize award here. 

A novel sort of reading match was another feature. 
Here every one read aloud in turn, the turn lasting five 
minutes. Certain words were named v/hich had to be 



72 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

skipped in reading, and every player was supposed to 
read half a page in the appointed time. Common words, 
such as *'and," "or/' ''the/' '4f/' ''in/' are the proper ones 
to taboo. Silver lead pencils and penholders were pre- 
sented to the makers of the most successful lists. 

For the next round slips of paper having words written 
on them were passed in a basket. Everybody took one, 
the hostess requesting that the noun or verb or adjective 
drawn should not be divulged. Each man or girl then 
wxnt in turn to a blackboard and made a picture with 
chalk of the word dipped up. The pictures were num- 
bered according to a num.ber found on the slip and we 
were called on to guess the word represented. Most of 
the guests had no knowledge whatever of drawing, which 
only added to the fun. The player first to call out any 
correct solution received a ticket, which counted one point 
toward the prize. The prize here was a word puzzle in 
a pretty box. 

Another blackboard game was played by writing on the 
board the three middle letters of certain words, which 
were then to be built up from botli ends. Thus the word 
''ogre'' was built into "progress/' the w^ord "act" into 
"practice." The person building most correctly received 
a thesaurus of English words. 

Another good idea was the interpretation of difficult 
sentences taken from Shakespeare, Milton and other 
classic English authors. Of course, the correct explana- 
tion had already been looked up by our entertainer. A 
volume containing the w^orks of some one of the authors 
represented was awarded here. 



Book of Farlics and Pastimes 73 

EXPERIENCE MEETING. 

For a group of people of forty years or over a reminis- 
cence party is frequently made very enjoyable. To get 
the fun into swing it is only necessary to pass around the 
room a basket containing folded slips of paper, on which 
such questions as those given below are written : 

What was the occasion of the jolliest time you ever 
had? 

What was the most thrilling adventure you ever had ? 

Who is or was the most interesting person you ever 
met? 

What is the best true story you ever heard ? 

What is the least explicable occurrence you ever heard 
of or experienced ? 

What was the happiest hour of your life? 

What was the greatest pleasure of your childhood ? 

Each guest draws one of the folded slips. Ten minutes 
is allowed for reflection, during which all players think up 
the answer to their questions. The person drawing the 
slip marked I then gives his experience. When this has 
been laughed over or otherwise enjoyed, the person hold- 
ing tlie slip marked 2 then relates, and so on. It makes 
a most enjoyable little pastime and will lead to many ex- 
changes of pleasant reminiscences. The hostess will, 
of course, avoid any question which could evoke unpleas- 
ant or sorrowful memories. 



74 BuuJi of Paiiics and Faslimcs 



A CELEBRITY PARTY 

Another idea for a frolic, Avhich has been made a great 
success of, is the Celebrity Party. This, too, is a merry- 
making attended by practically no expense. 

To get it up. cut from newspapers or magazines 
twenty-five pictures of persons in the public eye, both 
male and female — scientists, statesmen, philanthropists, 
actresses. The gathering should be a very mixed one. 
Cut out each face and paste it on a piece of cardboard. 
Then add a body clipped from some other portrait, from 
an *'ad" or a fashion cut. Hats and other belongings 
found elsewhere may be pasted on to complete the mas- 
querade. Disguise each celebrity in this way and number 
each card with some numlx'r from i to 25. When the 
game is to begin distribute pencils and paper or penny 
booklets and pass the celebrities from hand to hand. 
Players guess what well-known folk are represented. 
The ludicrous aspect of the disguises will excite great 
amusement. Give a handy reference biography as a prize. 

CONSTELLATION PARTY. 

Astronomers uphold that the constellations, or star 
groups, contain varying numbers of stars and that these 
are not all, by any means, of the same magnitude or 
importance, but in a novel little star party which hostesses 
are now arranging to entertain their friends all constella- 
tions contain exactly the same number of astral bodies, 
namely, seven, and all stars are of the same size. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 75 

It is not necessary to be anything of an astronomer to 
give or participate in a constellation party, but a knowl- 
edge of proverbs or quotations containing just seven 
words is most helpful. 

The invitations for the affair are written on cards cut 
from cardboard in the astral shape and covered on one 
side W'ith gold paper. The other is reserved for the notes, 
which may be written in gold ink. 

The hostess may elect a gow^n sprinkled with tiny gold 
paper stars, and each lady entering the room can receive 
a star-shaped ornament of glittering tinsel, which is 
mounted on a wire hairpin, to be worn in the coiffure. 
The men can receive little stars of gilt cardboard, with 
ribbon drawn through one point to be pinned to the coat 
lapel. 

There are twelve star groups necessary for the game 
and each star is of a different color. If colored paper or 
cardboard cannot be had for cutting out these planetary 
features, they can be cut from white cardboard or water- 
color paper and tinted with color from a paint box. 

One star in each group must be blue, one red, one yel- 
low, one green, one brown, one wdiite and one purple. 

Eacli group gives complete one proverb or quotation, 
which should not be too abstruse or unfamiliar. The sen- 
tence must, of course, consist of just seven words, as 
each w^ord is to be written on a different star of some 
one group. No capital letters are used in beginning the 
sentences. 

Be sure to get a pretty five-pointed star pattern to 
serve as a model for the others. If no illustration which 
can be utilized for the purpose is at hand, practice cutting 



76 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

one from paper until a satisfactory result is obtained, and 
then cut by this. When the entire eighty-four stars have 
been cut out and, if white paper is used, carefully tinted, 
they should be arranged in constellations of seven. The 
sentence must be written carefully, as one mistake will 
throw out the entire group. 

Do not commence all sentences on stars of the same 
color, but let the first begin on a white star, the second on 
a blue, third on a yellow, or similar arrangement, choos- 
ing different ones to start in every case. 

In plenty of time before the entertainment is to begin 
take as many envelopes as you expect guests and divide 
the stars evenly into them ; jumble each group thoroughly, 
so that no envelope will contain many words from the 
same phrase. Seal each envelope daintily with colored 
wax or tie it with ribbon. 

When the fun is about to begin, these envelopes are 
placed on a table and the nature of the contest is ex- 
plained. Each player helps himself to an envelope. When 
the bell rings, all envelopes are torn open. The players 
examine their stars and endeavor to form sentences from 
those in hand. If tlie words held do not by twisting 
yield any suggestion of a proverb or quotation the astron- 
omer must seek out some companion player who finds 
himself or herself in the same difficulty and offer to ex- 
change stars. 

This exchanging, and very lively it is apt to become, 
continues until all sentences are completed, at least to the 
satisfaction of the player, for no one is obliged to ex- 
change a star unless he wishes to do so, whatever the im- 
portunity of another astronomer. The star-gazer has two 



Booh of PaHies and Pastimes 77 

ways of deciding whether or not his constellation is cor- 
rect. One of these is the senience — whether or not it 
rings true. The other is, of course, the proper colors re- 
quired for each group. There can be but one star of each 
color in any constellation correctly put together, and any 
sentence not displaying seven hues is therefore in- 
correct. 

The person first to bring to the hostess a correct phrase 
receives a star-shaped pincushion in token of her appreci- 
ation. The second receives a book on ''Astronomy with 
an Opera Glass,'' and the person coming in third, a star- 
shaped candy box filled with sugar plums. 

Those who fail to win prizes can, by way of fun, re- 
ceive cookies cut in star shapes and tied with ribbon. 

ANIMATED "ADS." 

One of the most mirthful evenings which can be ar- 
ranged without expense or trouble to the party-giver is 
a programme made up of animated advertisements. 

Every one is probably more or less familiar with the 
conventional advertisement party, wherein each player 
comes wearing a well-known advertisement clipped from 
a magazine to be guessed by the assembled company. 

Animated advertisements is a new and improved ver- 
sion of the foregoing. Here each man or girl comes 
costumed to represent an '*ad'' and is afterward called 
upon to perform some amusing stunt in keeping with his 
or her costume. 

Invitations could be gotten up to suggest advertisement 
posters, and if the aflfair is planned with charitable in- 



7H Jiook of Parties and Pastimes 

tent, each player can be requested to come bringing one, 
two or three specimens of the article represented, these 
to be donated to the charity in question. 

A mental review of the advertisements which have be- 
come classic will convey an idea of the mirth and motli- 
ness of the gathering*. 

Each player, as he or she enters, communicates their 
character name to one of the ladies appointed to receive 
these confidences. 

This bookkeeper accordingly pins upon him a card hav- 
ing written upon it the number just filled out in the regis- 
tration books. 

At a given signal after the arrival of the last guests, 
cards with numbers and pencils are distributed and a half 
hour is spent in guessing the names of the various ad- 
vertisements present. 

Some widely advertised kind of chocolates might be 
given a.^ a lady's prize, the gentlemen receiving a popu- 
lar brand of cigar. 

This over, the curtains are drawn aw^ay from a minia- 
ture stage and each player is called on to amuse the 
company for the space of five or ten minutes, a feature 
which has been previously talked over with the hostess. 

Naturally, the programme \vill be extremely varied. 
The young woman who comes costumed to represent the 
child who rides around the world on a cake of soap will 
render child monologues to the great enjoyment of the 
audience. 

The genial colored person whose beaming features are 
so well known, will cast aside his skillet to assume the 
banjo, cracking jokes and singing coon songs. 



Bool: of Parlies and Pasitimcs 79 

A couple of little Dutch folk, dressed alike, develop 
acrobatic tendencies, perform sabot dances and other 
stunts in kecpini:^. 

There will probably be a monologue in the quaint ''thee 
and thou" phraseology from a well-known member of 
the Society of Friends. With solemn peaceful mien,' he 
keeps the audience convulsed and receives a round of ap- 
plause as he bow^s himself away. 

The girl who eats enough chocolates from month to 
month to spoil her pretty complexion in real life will find 
time between bites to sing some attractive songs. 

If the programme, including supper, does not occupy 
the entire evening an impromptu dance can help round 
out the fun. 

The supper itself should be in keeping, each dish being 
topped oil with an advertisement picture, and all edibles 
being made of advertised goods. 

In arranging the affair for a charity a menu is pub- 
lished (with price list which should be moderate) of the 
various edibles. Then, too, those who perform the duties 
of w^aiters and waitresses can be dressed to represent 
some of the most familiar advertisement pictures. The 
scarlet-robed Mephisto would be an effective role for one 
of the men ; the trim little maiden w^hose fame is inter- 
woven with a certain chocolate is also picturesque and 
charming. Half a dozen others equally fetching could 
easily be devised. 



so Book of Parties and Pastimes 



AN OMAR KHAYYAM ENTERTAINMENT. 

The Modern Reading Circle had just brought to a con- 
chtsion its study of the celebrated '^Rubaiyat" when the 
twenty members were thrown into a state of pleasant mys- 
tification by the receipt of little notes worded as follows : 

*'The pleasure of your company is requested to 
meet Omar Khayyam on Thursday, February 15, at 
noon, 5456 Ardmore Road. R. S. V. P.'' 

This was followed by a playful adaptation of the cele- 
brated quatrain, running somewhat as follows: 

''The book of Omar underneath the bough, 
The members of our reading club — and thou 
With us next Thursday, truly then. 
Our drawdng-room were paradise enow/' 

The invitations were written on cards shaped and 
colored to represent single flowers, and therefore daintily 
suggestive of the flowery Eastern birthplace of the bard. 

Pansies, wnld roses, dahlias and narcissus had been 
chosen as easiest to prepare, as well as specially striking. 

Regrets were few, and guests arriving on the evening 
appointed found themselves in a miniature Persian garden. 

The carpet had been covered wath lengths of grass- 
green paper muslin, suggestive of Eastern verdure, gen- 
erously sprinkled with roses and other tissue paper 
blooms. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 81 

Pakns and potted plants banked in corners and along 
the walls enhanced the Southern effect. In some cases 
in order to add to the general luxuriance the entertainer 
had, entirely without botanical authority, furnished the 
tub plants with large and showy blooms. 

A row of tissue paper tulips springing from a bed of 
green paper turf concealed the mantelpiece from view. 

Millinery flowering vines twined the wooden garden 
chairs and benches, which for the time took the place of 
the parlor furniture. 

At one end of the room, on a small table and pictur- 
esquely wreathed in vines and leaves, stood the bowl so 
much lauded by the poet, filled on this occasion with a 
mild and refreshing claret cup. 

When all had arrived the clever series of contests ar- 
ranged for the entertainment began. 

For the first of these the hostess distributed little cards, 
having written upon them fifteen incomplete rubaiyats, 
which the competitors were asked to round out, drawing 
upon their recently acquired knowledge for the missing 
words. 

Each verse lacked from one to three words, which were 
represented by dashes and which the company were asked 
to fill in where the omission occurred. 

A copy of Fitzgerald's version was given as a prize 
for the best set of answers, completed within the pre- 
viously arranged time limit of half an hour. 

At the end of that time the hostess produced a copy 
of the poem and a slip of paper having the numbers of the 
pages whereon the rubaiyats were to be found. 



82 lionJ,' of Parties and Pastimes 

These were then referred to and the lists corrected by 
tlieni. 

Another amusing contest was of a more active nature, 
as a change from the seated game just described. 

For it a sheet, on wliich the artist member of the family 
had drawn a fanciful portrait of the poet, was stretched in 
the doorway. A wreath of green tissue paper laurels 
was produced at the same time and each player in turn 
was blindfolded. So hampered, he or she tried to laureate 
the bard. 

Most attempts, as usual, went wide of the mark, pro- 
voking laughter. 

The player coming nearest, who in point of fact suc- 
ceeded in attaching the wreath to the great man's nose, 
was declared the prize-winner. 

A Persian scarf, secured through an Oriental shop, re-* 
warded the successful contestant. 

'Move intellectual was a half hour devoted to the flowers 
of the ''Rubaiyat." Cards and pencils were passed and 
everybody requested to write down the names of the dif- 
ferent flowers mentioned by Omar, together with a verse 
in which each name occurred. 

Fitzgerald's version w^as named as sufficient, and the 
entertainer had previously prepared in advance a list of 
flower references occurring there. 

An illustrated book on Persia, past and present, re- 
warded the player recalling most blossoms and references 
thereto. 

Naturally one feature of the fun was writing original 
ciuatrains in the style of the famous "Rubaivat." 



Hook of Parlies and Pastivies 83 

A MUSICAL BURLESQUE. 

A GOOD idea for an entertainment where fun, pure 
and simple, is desired, is a musicale. Not the cut-and- 
dried *'musicale," where Wagnerian cycles roll their 
thundering chords to ears properly attuned, but a musi- 
cale quite out of the ordinary. Invitations are sent out 
requesting guests to come in costumes representing some- 
thing in the musical line, either as a character out of an 
opera, a musical instrument, or something else of that 
sort. The festivities usually open with a grand proces- 
sion of the motley crew about the house — street musi- 
cians, troubadours, Wagnerians, Carmens, odalisques 
and Turks, Narcissus, **ragtime'' coons, sheet music and 
songs without number. After this parade, the maskers 
seat themselves in the drawing-room, where a stage has 
been erected, and the entertainment proceeds. This may 
be as simple or as elaborate as desired, with operatic bur- 
lesque, clever skits from the composers, impersonations of 
noted musicians, and the like. A most successful musicale 
of this sort given last year in New York concluded with a 
satire on the Wagnerian cycle arranged by one of the 
clever guests. The characters were all taken by society 
people — the Valkyrie maidens appearing on hobby horses. 
At the end of the thirty-minute ''cycle'' Alberich had got 
His Rheingold — a ring the size of an armlet — from the 
streams with a fish hook, the Rhine maidens had laughed 
their scornful laughs in a measure that Wagner never 
would have recognized and Siegfried was killed ofi in 
quick time. It w^as all very funny. Many of the cos- 
tumes were extremelv clever. 



si Book of Parties and Pastimes 



A GROWN-UP AIOTHER GOOSE PARTY. 

Mother Goose, who provides such ahogether delight- 
ful entertainments for the vounsfsters, is seldom called 
on to furnish a party for the grown-ups, a function which 
is, if possible, more amusing. 

Tf the guests-to-be are w^ell known to her, the hostess 
can issue invitations as for a child^s party, calling each 
man or girl by his or her first name. Children's note 
paper, decorated with Mother Goose pictures, should be 
used in writing the invitations. 

A good formula w^ould be the following written in 
imitation of a child's unformed chirography : 

Dear Tommy and Mazie: 

I am going to have a Mother Goose party next 
Thursday week at eight o'clock and I hope you will 
both be there. Please answer w^hether you can come. 

Your friend, 

Molly. 

A nursery rhyme masquerade makes a good feature 
with which to introduce the evening's fun. For it the 
hostess must pin or tie upon each arriving guest a picture 
or small object which, when correctly divined, will give 
the name of some character from the nursery rhymes. 

Or she may ask him or her to wear some article of ap- 
parel as a hat or cloak in tissue paper, to serve as a 
puzzle to the others. Here are hints for the puzzles: 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 85 

Hat of black tissue paper, long cloak of black clieese- 
cloth, worn by a man. King Cole. 

Picture or sketch of a person peeping in a window and 
a bow of ribbon. Bo Peep. 

Boy doll sewed on a blue card. Boy Blue. 

A tissue paper muff carried by a girl. Miss Muffett. 

A dunce cap worn by a man. Simple Simon. 

A huge key cut from gilt cardboard and pendent upon 
a ribbon, worn by a girl. Lucy Locket. 

A number of pink hearts pinned to a girl's gown. 
Queen of Hearts. 

Each player wears attached to his puzzle a number. 
When all have arrived cards with pencils are passed and 
pla} ers are requested to write down the names of the dif- 
ferent characters as they think these to be, identified by 
numbers. 

The player who succeeds in naming most characters 
correctly could receive a nursery rhyme birthday book. 

A lively game in which all join is played in the follow- 
ing way: Men and girls all seat themselves in a circle, 
and, beginning with the person at the left hand of the 
hostess, each one is called on to recite a nursery rhyme. 

A jingle which has not before figured must be given 
in every case to escape the penalty of expulsion. If suc- 
cessful the player is allowed to retain his seat. If unsuc- 
cessful in recalling one, he must withdraw from the circle. 

In the case of long verses, such as **London Bridge,'' 
only the first stanzas are recited. 

When all persons but one have been banished from the 
circle, which does not as a usual thing take many rounds, 
this last person is pronounced victor and receives a prize. 



86 Book of Parlies and Pasi'uncs 

A cup and saucer in nursery rhyme china would make 
an attractive prize for a woman, or a teacloth embroidered 
in Mother Goose designs. Give the man prize-winner, 
if the sterner sex should prove victorious, one of the sev- 
eral nursery rhyme books illustrated by some popular 
artist. 

Another puzzle game, sufficiently different from that 
first described, to be used with it is called ''References.'' 
Here a dozen or more little objects, each with a numbered 
card attached, are arranged upon a table. 

Each object is a reference to the story of some Mother 
Goose rhyme and players are asked to discover to what 
rhymes they refer. A prize in the form of a goose filled 
with candy is awarded for the best set of answers. Sug- 
gestions for the references are : 

A clean dinner plate, with knife and fork crossed upon 
it. Jack Sprat. 

A toy spider. IMiss Muffett. 

A candlestick. "J^^k be nimble," etc. 

A woolly dog. jMother Hubbard. 

A moon cut from gilded cardboard. ''Hey diddle 
diddle." 

A pot of dried peas. 'Teas porridge hot," etc. 

Piece of pie and a plum. Jack Horner. 

Cane with toy horse-head attached to it. "Ride a cock 
horse," etc. 

Toy mouse niarked v/itli nunicral 3. "Three blind 
mice," etc. 

Picture of pony colored gray, or of a toy horse of 
gray color, 'T had a little pony, his name was Dapple 
Gray." 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 87 

Picture of the celebrated bridge with the name cut 
away. London Bridge. 

For a company of Hterary tastes an amusing contest 
might be founded on answers to the nursery rhymes. The 

party-giver should provide as many half sheets of note 
paper as there will be guests. At the top of each she 
writes the name of a well-known ■V.Iother Goose favorite, 
as Bo Peep, Old Mother Hubbard, Jack Horner. 

The slips are folded and passed in a basket. Each 
person in turn takes one. On the sheet of paper drawn 
he must then write another rhyme, using the meter of 
the one which has fallen to his lot and continuing the 
story at the point at which it was left in the rhyme. This 
IS a most laughable and exciting exercise if the company 
consists of men and women who enjoy a mental bout. 

The Mother Goose supper which follows upon the con- 
clusion of the games can be made very picturesque and 
eflfective. Let the centerpiece be one .of the toy geese wear- 
ing sunbonnets, so popular with the juvenile contingent 
for their parties. The body of the goose could be filled 
with humorous ''fortunes'* written on tissue paper and 
rolled into balls. Sew each fortune to a ribbon and let 
the ribbons project from the goose's mouth. 

At the conclusion of the frolic each person pulls a 
ribbon and receives a fortune. Or a Jack Horner pie 
could be arranged with fortunes instead of gifts. For 
place cards have linen nursery rhyme books with highly 
colored illustrations and let the guest's name appear on 
the cover. 

The pretty nursery rhyme china makes a most attrac- 



88 Book of Farties and Pastimes 

tive touch if this can be afforded, or certain pieces of it 
may be given as favors to the girls. 

The celebrated tarts of the Queen of Hearts (in cordate 
shape and filled with currant jelly) form part of the 
dessert. 

AN ART AUCTION. 

In the way of merry farce for people who know^ each 
other well and w^here it is desired to avoid all unnecessary 
outlay, an art auction is about as good a hint as one could 
wish. 

Each person entering the room is given a little bag 
made of cheese-cloth or bright-colored calico and con- 
taining one hundred beans. 

Each bean is understood to represent a dollar, and the 
beans in one's bag represent one's entire finances in so far 
as the auction is concerned. 

Typewritten or printed catalogues distributed at the 
same time give the names of the pictures to be sold. 

The auctioneer is necessarily a self-possessed person 
and a clever conversationalist of ready wits. 

Unless the hostess can herself fill these requirements, 
some friend must be admitted to the secret and appointed 
to the position. 

The articles are all carefully wrapped in paper and tied 
with ribbon. They are sold only by name and number, 
so that no one knows what he has bid for until the time 
comes for opening one's bargain at the conclusion of all 
the sales. 

The auctioneer should so manage that each guest gets 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 89 

at least one purchase. As each bundle is '^knocked 
down'' it is handed over to the purchaser, but may not be 
opened until the end of the game. 

Here are suggestions for the ''sells'' which figure in the 
printed catalogues : 

Horse Fair. Some hay and oats. 

The Tutor. A toy trumpet. 

A Study of Greece. Vaseline box. 

The Fortune Teller. A daisy. 

The ''Lost Chord.'' A piece of shop string. 

Black Beauty. A pickaninny doll. 

The Tie that Binds. A cravat. 

Author of Our National Anthem_, A key. 

The Beau and Belle. Small bell tied with a bow. 

Downfall of China. Broken tea cup, etc. 

The Fairy Spinner. A toy spider. 

A Drive through the Wood, Nail driven through a 
piece of board. 

View of Castile. Cake of soap. 

Spring, Beautiful Spring. An old chair spring. 

Wayworn Travelers. Old shoes. 

The Lamplighter. A match. 

The Midnight Hour. The number 12 written on a 
card. 

Maid of Orleans. Molasses candy. 



THE CIRCULATING LIBRARY. 

A NOVEL and entertaining form of conversation is 
called The Circulating Library. 



90 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

The invited guests should include an equal number of 
girls and men, and the ladies are asked to come costumed 
to represent a book. One may either dress to represent 
the book title or something may be worn to suggest it 
as in the ordinary book tea. 

The names of the different books represented are cata- 
logued duly under their initial letters and this list is 
pinned up in the parlor. 

As each girl arrives she is conducted by the hostess, 
who acts as librarian, into a rear room, or if only one 
apartment is available for the fun, behind a screen, ar- 
ranged at the rear of the drawing-room. 

Each man on arriving reads the list of books and de- 
cides which title he would prefer. 

He appeals to the librarian, who leads out to him the 
book he has selected. 

Each borrower is permitted to retain a book ten min- 
utes, not longer, after which he must return it to the 
shelves under penalty of paying a forfeit. 

He then selects another name from the list. 

Of course the borrowers must not be allowed to dis- 
cover by whom the different books are being personified. 

This same attractive idea can also be arranged as a 
philanthropic venture with a large number of books, and 
five or six librarians to see that the men patrons are 
waited upon. 

The money is taken in the form of 25-cent entrance 
fees, and also in fines paid by those who disregard rules 
and fail to return specially interesting volumes within 
time limits. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 91 



A DRAWING PARTY. 

The hostess who enjoys a social affair entaiUng no 
brain fag should issue invitations for a Portrait Party. 

The only apparatus necessary is a quantity of blank 
cards or squares of pasteboard, say about five inches 
square, and pencils. 

Each gentleman on arriving receives a slip of paper on 
which is written the name of some lady in the company, 
and when the fun is in readiness the partners thus ap- 
pointed must sit opposite each other and draw each 
other's likeness. 

At the end of ten minutes the portraits are collected by 
the hostess, numbered and pinned up on the wall. 

The men then choose new partners and the game pro- 
ceeds as before. 

Each player, before the drawing stops, must draw three 
members of the opposite sex in rounds of ten minutes 
each. 

When the drawing is at an end the company, furnished 
with slips of paper and pencils, guesses or tries to guess 
the subjects of the different likenesses. 

A prize, which might be an order for pictures on some 
photographic establishment of the neighborhood, is 
awarded for the best set of guesses. 

Another prize could be given for the sketch pronounced 
cleverest by a consensus of opinion. A framed photo- 
graph of some portrait masterpieces would make a good 
choice. 



92 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



THE SOCIETY PUZZLE. 

As EACH player enters the room he or she is given a 
card mysteriously marked, which will look like this : 

A 

Sec. 4. 
6 memboi's. 

Wken all are on the scene and tlie cards all given out, 
explain the idea of the game, which is briefly this : 

Each player having received a card belongs by this 
fact to a certain society. The letter at the head of the 
card is one figuring in the name of the association in 
question. 

By the number given all members of each society can 
search each other out and puzzle over the hidden name 
which will be revealed when the different jumbled letters 
are properly arranged. 

The number of letters in the word is, of course, easily 
found, being the same as the number of members. 

Scampering hither and thither, comparing letters and 
discussing the puzzles, the guests will become acquainted 
much more rapidly than in an ordinary game. 

Illustrations of the societies to be anagrammed would 
be Masons, Odd Fellows, Royal Academicians, Suffrag- 
ists, Nihilists, Fenians. 

A prize should be awarded to be drawn for by all mem- 
bers of the society first to disc-over its own name. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 93 



TO SEAT A COMPANY. 

The question often arises how to have one's guests 
find their places at table. If the company is well ac- 
quainted the ceremony will go off easily, but otherwise, 
unless the entertainer is extremely self-possessed, an 
awkward silence mav result. 

ml 

Here is the way a bright urban hostess arranged the 
matter to her own relief and the amusement of her 
guests : 

Immediately after dinner was announced, and before 
they proceeded to the dining-room, small cards were dis- 
tributed. 

On one side was the name of some guest, on the re- 
verse a word or two of some quotation — in this case the 
rhyme of Old King Cole. 

The hostess herself had the card beginning the rhyme 
with "Old King Cole.'' The guest holding the card with 
'Svas a merry old souF' took up his position at her right. 
The third person, having the refrain '*a merry old soul 
was he,'' found her chair at the right of the gentleman 
holding the second card, and so it went on until all were 
in place. 

. The alternating of gentlemen and ladies is managed by 
distributing one half the cards to the men, the other half 
to the women. 

For a patriotic dinner a sentiment or quotation appro- 
priate to the occasion can be substituted for the nursery 
rhyme. 



94 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

A RADIUM PARTY. 

The little Radium Party recently conceived and given 
by a New York entertainer of moderate means was pro- 
nounced a great success by the circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances to whom it was offered. As other puzzled 
hostesses may like to repeat the experiment, I herewith 
give full particulars of the party, to which a clever 
woman may add many other features. 

At the original affair the fun was put into swing by a 
number of absurdities which caught the attention of the 
arriving guests and gave all food for thought until the 
entire party had arrived. In a darkened closet, opening 
off from the parlor, a pebble or chip of wood (coated with 
phosphorus to impart an eery glow) was exhibited as 
* '1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 of an ounce of the 
true Radium discovered by Professor and Madame 
Curie." 

An illuminated sign (illuminated by pin perforations 
in the cardboard outlining the letters, through which the 
light shone from candles placed behind) extolled the pos- 
sibilities of the new discovery. According to this placard, 
while the wonderful substance will do almost everything 
else, it won't wash clothes. This allusion to a world- 
celebrated advertisement of a certain brand of soap caused 
great amusement. 

For the first game on the programme — a stirring one, 
by the way — the impedimenta were in waiting when all 
the guests assembled. 

Against the wall at the most distant end of the room 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 95 

was arranged a kind of sunset effect with rays cut from 
colored cardboard; the rays being quite narrow at the 
top and gradually spreading to something like a foot in 
width at the bottom. They were tacked in fan fashion 
upon the wall and each ray had a special number em- 
blazoned upon it in gilt paint. The game was played 
much on the order of the always popular donkey party, 
by blindfolding each player in turn and sending him or 
her to mark upon one of the rays with white chalk. The 
mark must be made upon the particular ray one happens 
to touch. The number of points won are represented by 
the number of the ray marked. Thus, if blue were desig- 
nated as number 6, the player marking the blue ray would 
win six points, and so on. A prize was awarded for the 
highest number of points won. Two or more persons 
winning the same number would, of course, draw lots 
for the trophy. 

The second game, which was a very original one, was 
instituted to decide the question whether Professor Curie 
or his wife was the real discoverer of the celebrated and 
costly substance. 

For this the word Radium was written twice over six 
small pieces of cardboard. One set of these pieces was 
on pink cardboard, the other on pale blue. The word 
was not written in full, one letter only being emblazoned 
upon each cardboard chip. Just before the guests arrived 
these lettered pieces had been hidden here and there 
around the rooms and hall, just as peanuts are concealed 
for a peanut search. 

The idea was a very simple one. The men were called 
upon to prove that the husband was the real discoverer. 



96 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

This they could do only by unearthing the six pink 
cards, and thus discovering radium before the girls of the 
party could do the same thing by collecting the six blue 
slips. Neither side was allowed to touch the chips be- 
longing to the opposition side, nor permitted to give in- 
formation regarding their whereabouts, if by accident 
they were discovered. To add to the excitement of the 
game a simple prize, consisting of a box of bonbons 
wrapped in silver paper, was oflfered for the greatest 
number of letter chips discovered by an individual player. 

More intellectual, although not to a brain-fagging de- 
gree, was another game founded on the name of Radium. 
It was found that by using the different letters forming 
this w^ord again and again, several smaller words could be 
formed. Some of these were "mud,'' ''dam'' and "ram ;" 
we will leave the reader to find out the rest for to tell 
them here would spoil the fun. 

Each of these was represented as nearly as possible 
by a picture clipped from a magazine or newspaper and 
pasted upon cardboard. The mounted pictures were then 
numbered in rotation and tacked upon the parlor wall 
on a level with the eye. 

When the time came for playing, each guest received 
paper and pencil with which he was asked to record his 
guesses as to the smaller words pictured. It was possible 
to tell more or less surely whether one's guess was a 
close one, owing to the fact that six letters only were 
available for twisting as anagrams. 

The motif of the party was very cleverly introduced 
into the light supper that followed. Rays of ribbon and 
flowers radiated from the centerpiece proper. Sandwiches 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 97 

were wrapped in iridescent paper foil which gleamed in a 
manner suggestive of metal. 

As far as possible only silver was used on the table, and 
whenever china dishes appeared they were hidden by 
silver paper fringed at the edge. At each corner of the 
table were huge silver balls, such as form ornaments for 
Christmas trees, and these reflected dazzlingly the bright 
lights of the table and its setting. Candles were used for 
lighting, and were held in silver candlesticks, which rested 
on sheets of tinfoil crumpled up to look like silver rocks. 
The name cards were written in silver ink, as were also 
the invitations to the festivity. 

Toward the end of the repast a bowl filled with colored 
popcorn was passed among the guests. This course was 
accompanied by a small silver ladle. Each guest was 
invited to dip out a ladleful of the popcorn and try to 
discover the bit of hidden radium, which proved to be a 
wee jewelry box wrapped in gold paper and containing a 
pretty stick-pin. This went to the guest who was for- 
tunate enough to dip it up in his ladle. No one was al- 
lowed to look at the contents of the bowl while 'scooping 
out his or her portion, for this would have given the 
later ones an unfair advantage^ as the little box with its 
gleaming cover showed between the grains of popcorn 
after a few ladlefuls had been taken out. So the waitress 
who passed the bowl held it just back of the right elbow 
of the one to whom it was offered, and he or she was bid- 
den to look straight ahead while taking a share. 



98 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

A BALL WITHOUT DANCING. 

This is a very new and very jolly little entertainment 
and may be given by a hostess whose wildest dreams do 
not include the possession of a ballroom. 

Have the invitations read like those for an ordinary 
dancing-party and substitute in one corner the words 
Danceless Ball for the usual Dancing. Nine out of the 
ten guests will fail to divine the nature of the affair, which 
may be given in the evening or afternoon, and in which 
the fun hinges on a series of original games played in 
some way with balls. 

If she can afford it, and the expense is not great, let the 
party-giver have made, either by the florist or the nearest 
dealer in tissue-paper novelties, a huge ball containing a 
gift for every member of the company. The florist will 
construct it of wire, covered with damp moss, and having 
wee flowers embedded in the mossy covering. The 
novelty-dealer will probably cover the wire with tiny rose- 
buds, or he may imitate one of the children's striped balls 
with bands of colored paper. Whatever their character, 
the gifts must have streamers of narrow ribbon attached 
to them and the ends of the ribbons must hang out 
through the moss or paper covering. At the conclusion 
of the party each guest pulls a ribbon and thus secures a 
little souvenir of the frolic. 

These gifts may be very inexpensive and should not 
cost at most more than a quarter of a dollar apiece. The 
place for the ball is the doorway through which the guests 
pass from the hall to the drawing-room. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 99 

Here are a few of the many good games which hinge 
on balls and ball-playing. Let the entertainer make her 
selection according to fancy and her resources: 

SIZE OF A BALL. 

Secure in a toy-shop a dozen or more balls of varying 
sizes and any color. Celluloid articles are preity, but are 
apt to be expensive. The brilliant-striped balls are <ilso 
charming. If plain rubber balls are the best you can 
afford, these may be painted in different colors or covered 
with a crocheted case of bright yarn. 

Suspend the balls from the ceiling in different portions 
of the room with ribbons or cords and attach to each a 
card bearing a number. This makes an extremely pretty 
room decoration in addition to an exciting game. In 
order to get the best effect possible arrange the balls be- 
fore the guests arrive. 

Distribute among the company small cards with pencils 
attached and having written upon them the same numbers 
appearing on the balls. Each pair of partners receives 
a card, the idea being to guess the respective sizes of the 
different balls — which is largest, which next, which third, 
and so on. 

Of course, these statistics have already been gathered 
up by the hostess, using a tape measure. The answers 
are rapidly examined and the prize awarded to the most 
successful. This prize could take the shape of a globular 
box filled with candy. The more varied the color effects 
in the balls the better, as color apparently greatly varies 
the size of the little globes. 



100 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



BALL-ROLLING. 

If the company is a mixed one of varying ages the lists 
for this game should be left free, only such as feci in- 
clined to vigorous exercise going in for it. The fun con- 
sists in propelling a small rubber ball around the room 
with a match stick for propeller. Each person desirous 
to do so has his turn at this, the hostess, watch in hand, 
timing him. The player accomplishing the feat in the 
smallest number of minutes or seconds is prize-winner. 
If several come in equally in advance of the others, all 
these are entitled to draw for the trophy. A stick-pin 
with ball-shaped head, w^hich will prove equally acceptable 
for masculine cravat or feminine collar, would be a good 
choice. 

HOOP-BALL. 

If the more fragile bric-a-brac is removed — as it should 
be for an entertainment of the new sort — ^the general fur- 
nishings of the parlor will have nothing to fear from this 
strenuous game. For it secure three small toy hoops 
about six to eight inches in diameter. (These can be 
made from flexible cardboard cut into strips, if the 
wooden ones are not at hand). 

Suspend the three hoops on a line in the center of the 
room, depending them by strands of ribbon from the ceil- 
ing. Let each hoop be a little lower or a trifle higher 
than the others. 

The company takes ''sides," drawing slips from a box 
or by some other simple means usual in deciding this 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 101 

question. One division takes up its stand at either end 
of the room, equidistant from the hoops. Before the sides 
separate let the hostess toss into the air a small rubber 
ball — it should be very soft. The player catching it wins 
first play for his or her side. 

The fun consists in returning the ball from one side to 
another through one of the hoops without allowing it to 
touch the ground. Two players, one from each side, 
compete at a time. As soon as a player fails to catch the 
ball and return it through the hoops he is *'out/' and his 
place is taken by another member of his division. The 
game lasts until one division has no more recruits, when 
the victory goes, of course, to the side still standing their 
ground. Members of the victorious side draw for the 
award of merit, which might be one of those convenient 
silver pincushions in the shape of a ball. 

BLUE-BALL. 

In this game the skill lies in judging the contents of 
one's neighbor's hands from the expression on his or her 
face. 

The company stands or sits in a circle, and the hostess, 
passing on the outside of the circle, slips into the hands 
of some man or girl a small blue marble. This marble 
is "bad luck" of the most insidious character. Of course, 
the hostess will pretend to communicate some small object 
to the hands of each person (these are held behind the 
back) to disarm suspicion. In reality but one ball is 
given. 

The object of the holder of the ball is to pass it on to 



102 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

his or her next-door neighbor. This he can only do by 
presenting both hands and having the opponent tap one as 
a sign that he desires its contents. Every one is obHged 
to select from the hands offered, the selection going in a 
regular course from left to right or right to left, as pre- 
viously agreed upon. 

Each player is, of course, allowed to shift the contents 
of his hands, or pretend to shift imaginary balls, as often 
as desired. A lively w^ay to decide the game is to have 
the hostess play soft music as if for the game of Magic 
Music. The man or girl holding the marble when the 
sudden cessation of the music is first recognized is blue- 
balled from the circle. This play is continued until but 
one player remains standing. 

The circular idea may be introduced into both table 
trimmings and menu, if a supper or refreshment is to fol- 
low the games. The tables may be round, and the floral 
centerpiece of circular shape. Sandwiches and cakes are 
cut with a round tin, candies are circular, and ice-cream 
is molded to represent snowballs. 



AN AMERICAN BEAUTY EVENING. 

The invitations gave the first hint of the nature of the 
party, for each letter-sheet had, in lieu of a monogram, a 
tiny kodak photograph of a pretty girl holding a rose. 

A series of questions about American beauties were 
written on slips of paper, each girl and man among the 
company receiving a slip between them and becoming 
partners for the game. The questions, with answers, were : 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 103 

What early American beauty saved the life of an English 
colonist? Pocahontas. What American beauty married 
Thomas Mann Randolph, of Virginia? Martha Jefferson. 
What Western beauty of our day occupied a high position 
in the Orient? Mary Leiter. What beauty was married 
from the White House in splendor during Grant's admin- 
istration? Nelly Grant. What early Philadelphia beauty 
discovered a plot of the British and took a warning to her 
countrymen? Lydia Darrach. What American woman 
represented as old by Whittier is made young and beauti- 
ful in a modern play ? Barbara Frietchie. What Ameri- 
can beauty won the title of ''Angel of Mercy'^ in the 
Cuban War? Annie Wheeler. What lovely American 
devotes large sums to benevolence? Helen Gould. What 
Philadelphia grande dame was noted for her magnificent 
costuming? Mrs. Rush. What American stage beauty 
now lives a private Hfe abroad? Mary Anderson. 

This interesting feature was followed by a balloting as 
to what constitutes an American beauty. Each man in 
the party received a voting card worded as follows: 
"What type of woman do you consider most pleasing? 
Color of hair? Color of eyes? Complexion, light or dark? 
Height? Disposition, vivacious or dignified?" The girl 
who had most of the good points preferred by the largest 
number of men received a bouquet of roses of the ap- 
propriate variety. 

The host then produced a box of anagram letters. These 
she dealt around the table like cards, each person receiv- 
ing three. The residue was placed as a pool in the center 
of the table. The player was told to endeavor to form 
with the letters in hand, added to by drawing, the words 



104 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

''American Beauty." Lucky the player who found in his 
hand an A, as the word-building could begin with only 
the first letter. If the player found among his letters an 
A he placed this face upward upon the table before him. 
If he had an M, this was placed beside it. If not, he 
could only cease work until the time for drawing came. 
When all players had exhausted their resources the draw- 
ing began. Each player drew from his left-hand neigh- 
bor. If the needed letter was secured by this manoeuver 
it was added to the embryo word. This drawing and 
building was continued until some one formed the desired 
words. Any player out of letters drew from the pool, as 
did also the player who should have drawn from a player 
whose letters were exhausted. The borrowing system 
rendered it almost impossible to retain a letter, however 
cherished. Letters placed in proper sequence could not 
be touched by a borrower. 

A blackboard was then produced, and each player sent 
to it in turn to write down the initials of an American 
girl now living. A prize was offered for the set of ini- 
tials which could not be guessed by any one present, wdth 
a second trophy for the person guessing most correctly. 
Any set supposed to be those of a beauty not American- 
born or to be incorrectly given was challenged, the point 
being left to the host to decide. The first prize was a 
daintily bound copy of Tennyson's ''Dream of Fair 
Women." The second, a lovely mouchoir-case decorated 
in a water-color design of red roses. 

A pretty lace-pin in the form of a half-opened rose 
was then shown to the assembly and laid in full view upon 
a table at one end of the room. Each man who washed 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 105 

to attempt winning it was asked to step forward and sub- 
mit to careful blindfolding. Each volunteer was blind- 
folded in the center of the room and turned around in a 
confusing manner three times. When all had been ban- 
daged and turned the signal for the start was given. All 
gentlemen laying bands upon the bijou drew for it, and 
the lucky individual to w4iom it fell presented it to whom- 
soever he pleased. 

The supper carried out the floral idea. A tall basket of 
the roses served as a centerpiece. Red candle-shades 
cast a rosy glow over spotless napery. Bonbons were 
served in papier-mache dishes representing rose-petals. 
Place cards took the form of pretty girl-faces, and straw- 
berry ice was molded in the shape of roses and colored 
pink. 

PROGRESSIVE TRAVEL PARTY. 



Appropriate and enjoyable for any season of the year, 
a Progressive Travel Party is especially so for a function 
to occur in months of travelers and traveling. 

The fun lies in a progression, each stage or table of 
which suggests a diflferent city. The entire globe can be 
traversed for the tour, but patriotic hostesses may prefer 
to keep the journey within the boundaries of our own 
vast and beautiful country. 

Suggestions for visiting the great cities of the United 
States in the space of three hours are given here. A 
short tour includes New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chi- 
cago, Washington and San Francisco. 

At New York the travelers marvel at the billowing 



106 Book of FarUcs and Pastimes 

tide of immigration pouring into the metropolitan city 
and through it to other parts of our country. They meet 
with some as puzzling types of immigrants which they 
arc asked to identify. For the sake of the entertainer a 
few of these are given here. 

I — One immigrant was a pretty kind of dress goods. 
Swiss. 

2 — Another was a kind of turnip. Swede. 

3 — One was almost a slave. Slav. 

4 — One was in a terrible hurry. Russian (rushin'). 

5 — One was part of a woman's dress. Basque. 

In San Francisco the players are called upon for a ten- 
minute memory sketch of John Chinaman. Give one of 
the popular laundry lists representing Wong Lee at work, 
or a laundry bag with embroidered design representing 
Wong, for the most original drawing. 

At Washington the players are conducted to the White 
House, where the spirits of all the Presidents of the past 
are waiting to receive them. The entertainer propounds 
some interesting questions with regard to the Presidents, 
as: 

What President was noted for his democratic sim- 
plicity? Thomas Jefiferson. 

What President had a father also President? John 
Quincy Adams. 

Complete the tour with a supper in which the different 
viands of our large cities figure — as Boston baked beans ; 
beaten biscuit and fried chicken of Maryland. Have each 
dish brought to table waving with tiny American flags. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 107 



TOUR OF THE WORLD IN EIGHTY MINUTES. 

A PLEASANT and unhackneyed idea for entertaining a 
company of bright people is a "Parlor Tour," or, as it is 
sometimes called, ''A Tour of the World in Eighty 
Minutes." 

The invitations are written on sheets decorated with 
pen-and-ink sketches of travelers, or on picture postals 
representing different scenes of travel, which are inclosed 
in envelopes for mailing. 

It is desirable to have the wording as puzzling as possi- 
ble, and something like this form could be employed : 

Dear Miss Brown : 

I hope you can join us in ''A Tour of the World," 
to set out from our parlor on the evening of Feb- 
ruary 2, at 8 130 o'clock. Trusting that nothing will 
prevent your accom.panying us on our travels, I am. 
Very sincerely yours, 

Catherine Pelham. 

Anything which savors pleasantly of foreign lands can 
be utilized for the purpose. The flags of different na- 
tions, for example, if they can be borrowed for the oc- 
casion, or framed photographs of foreign views, or any 
objects of interest characteristic of other cities. 

Arriving guests find the hostess and other members of 
the receiving party arrayed in long linen dusters, with 
field glasses or small traveling bags slung across the 



108 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

shoulder, and severe felt walking hats or other headgear 
suggestive of the tourist. 

As each person comes in he or she receives a long 
strip of pink, green or yellow cardboard with a pencil. 
Across the top of each slip are the words ^^Commutation 
Ticket,'' and below a list of stations written one under 
the other with blank spaces opposite each. 

STATIONS WE STOPPED AT. 

A celebrated judge of feminine beauty. 

A pretty variety of china. 

One of the world's greatest statesmen. 

Always increasing by half its own measure. 

Always in bottles, yet never poured. 

Look in stealthily. 

A cheap kind of paper. 

To wander or stray. 

What this party is now doing. 

A kind of sausage. 

A wild animal of the plains. 

When all the expected ones have made their appearance 
the meaning of these tickets is explained by the hostess. 
The answer to each question is the name of some w^ell- 
known city in some portion of the globe, and a prize is 
in waiting for the player guessing most of them in twenty 
minutes. 

For the sake of the entertainer who wishes to copy I 
give the answers, which are : 

Paris, Dresden, Washington, Dublin, Cork, Pekin, 
Manila, Rome, Turin, Bologna, Buffalo. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 109 

For a trophy get one of the candy boxes representing 
a red bound book. When filled and with the word Bae- 
deker painted on the cover in gilt letters it will be most 
appropriate for a touring party. 

Another enjoyable game involving some exercise of 
gray matter is mental geography. Some time in advance 
of the party the hostess hunts up and distributes around 
the room or tacks to the wall a dozen or more objects, 
each of which, when correctly guessed, will give some 
name well known on the map. The following sugges- 
tions can be carried out for part of the list, or an en- 
tirely original list may be thought up : 

China teacup and the letter C. China Sea. 

A small piece of rock. Little Rock. 

A newspaper picture of Grover Cleveland, without his 
name. Cleveland. 

An empty can and a slip of paper with "2240 pounds 
Avoirdupois'' written on it. Can-ton. 

A handful of hay and a spoonful of tea. Haiti. 

An advertisement of a dry goods sale and the letter M. 
Salem. 

Allow from fifteen to thirty minutes for working out 
the answers, according to the number of questions pre- 
pared, and give a book of travels as a prize. 

During another half hour the hostess reads aloud half a 
dozen short descriptions of objects of interest in Europe, 
the East, etc., and the players are called on to guess what 
place, picture, building, «tatue or other work of art was 
intended. The selections are all made from standard 
writers and should be selected with a view to brevity as 
well as wit. 



110 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

A plaster copy of some famous statue would make a 
good prize. Again, a package of twelve or fourteen pic- 
ture postals representing views of travel are cut into small 
pieces and thoroughly mingled. They are then heaped 
up in the center of the table around which the players sit. 
Every one endeavors to form whole cards by matching 
the pieces and each card correctly put together counts 
one point. A toilet case suitable for traveling short dis- 
tances rewards the winner of most points. 



SOME GOOD GAMES. 
GAMES FOR THE QUICK-WITTED. 

Many games which would fall flat in the ordinary 
mixed assembly are delightful and a success among witty 
folk who enjoy a mental bout, impromptu or otherwise. 

Such a game is Definition, which is very ancient, a 
version of it having been played at the court of Charle- 
magne. 

DEFINITION. 

The fun is extremely simple. 

Pencils and paper are distributed and each member of 
the group asked to write a question or ask for a defini- 
tion. 

The question papers are folded and placed in a dish or 
basket and each player draws one. He is required to an- 
swer the question which has fallen to his lot. 

Latent cleverness is often called forth by the exigencies 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 111 

of the moment, and when after each round the answers 
are read, the war of wit is most amusing. 

If desired the players may use pseudonyms. The best 
definition wins a prize. 

Examples of the questions, with amateur answers, are : 

What is luck? Other people's success. 

What is a hobby? A horse that sometimes rides its 
rider. 



TRAIN O' THOUGHT. 



Another good game for players of nimble wits is called 
Train o' Thought. 

Here the hostess or the leader begins by announcing a 
word which all players write at the head of their tablets. 

Afterwards each player writes below it in a straight 
line words representing the different places, things, per- 
sons or abstract subjects suggested by it. 

A rough example of a train of thought and of the dis- 
tance which it can cover in the space of a few moments 
would be : 

Shakespeare. Stratford. European travel. Warwick 
festival. Lady Warwick. Progressive new women. Col- 
orado. San Francisco. Earthquakes. Chili. Revolu- 
tions. Russia. Czar. Louis XVI, etc. 

At the end of fifteen minutes papers are collected and 
the different tracks followed by the trains of thought will 
be found very fun-provoking. 

No prize is attached to this game. Each player after 
receiving his word continues to write connecting links un- 
til the bell sounds, as a signal for discontinuance. 



112 Bool: of Parlies and Pastimes 

All begin with the same word and invariably end up 
dififerentlv. 

RAPID COUNT. 

For this the hostess should write on morsels of paper 
all the numbers from one to twenty, writing each several 
times. 

Jumble the numbers several times in a basket and place 
the basket on a table, or stand, around which the com- 
pany sit. 

Each person in turn takes one of the papers, and upon 
seeing w^hat number it contains must name some cele- 
brated thing connected with this number. For example, 
a person drawing the number seven could name The 
Seven Sleepers, The Seven Wonders of the World, ''We 
Are .Seven,'' and "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.'' 

The papers are retained to count to their credit by all 
those who succeed in answering. 

Those who fail must pass their papers to those seated 
next to them, who in turn try to name something appro- 
priate. 

Any one failing must give a forfeit, to be redeemed 
later on. 

A prize can be given, if so desired, for the greatest 
number of question papers held by any one player. 

HODGE-PODGE POETRY. 

In this amusing game the object is to form a poem 
consisting of lines extracted from the works of various 
poets. 

It can be played in several ways. Single lines from 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 113 

different poems may be written on sheets of paper before 
the beginning of the game. These are drawn for by the 
different members of the company. 

The player drawing a line is then supposed to complete 
a four-line verse in the meter of that given, and rhyming 
either alternately or not with the final word of it. 

Again, one player writing a single line passes it on to 
his nearest neighbor. The form of the stanza has already 
been agreed on. 

The second player has three minutes in which to add a 
second line, after which the paper is passed on to each 
in turn. 

An example of the hodge-podge poetry so evoked is the 
following : 

On Linden, when the sun was low. 

A frog he would a-wooing go. 

He sighed a sigh and breathed a prayer. 

None but the brave deserve the fair. 

PROPHECY. 

In a gathering where all are very well acquainted, the 
little game of prophecy may occasion much fun. 

Each person securing a piece of paper from the hostess 
writes down the prediction about some other person pres- 
ent, to be fulfilled that evening — such as something which 
he or she will do or say. 

The allusions must not, of course, be unkindly or per- 
sonal, but harmless teasing is allowed. 

Before the guests take their leave the prophecies are 
read aloud, to be refuted or confirmed. 



114 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Those whose predictions have been verified should re- 
ceive some trifling souvenir in appreciation of their 
cleverness. 

PARLOR HYPNOTISM. 

Parlor hypnotism, which contains no element of the 
baneful, never fails to amuse and interest. 

Here is one w^ay to mystify a company of clever per- 
sons. Send some one for a moment out of the room. Se- 
lect five cards from the pack, and hold up one of them so 
that all the company may see what it is. 

Recall the player and spread out the five cards in the 
shape of a fan. 

Now take the right hand of the person who is to be 
mesmerized and command him to select from the five the 
card you have thought of, using his left hand to remove 
it. 

For some reason the subject never fails to draw out the 
correct card. 

This should be preceded by some mysterious passes in 
the air on the performer's part. 

He or she may also speak of being the seventh child of 
a seventh child in a family celebrated for its occult pow- 
ers, and introduce other claims to skill in the arts of 
mystery. 

TWO GOOD PUZZLES. 

The inaccuracy of the average reader and patriot con- 
cerning what every child should know can be amusingly 
demonstrated by asking the different members of the 
party to write down the names of the thirteen original 
States. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 115 

These, it may be well to add for the sake of the enter- 
tainer, are: 

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New 
Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro- 
lina, Georgia. 

Another good test which will trip up many, consists 
in writing down the names of the books of the Bible in 
their proper order. 

It is surprising how few persons will be able to name 
all the scriptural divisions, and in anything approaching 
regular sequence. 

A CONTEST OF MONTHS AND YEARS. 

The years and months could be used as the basis of an 
entertaining puzzle. 

Slips of paper with from ten to twenty dates written on 
them are passed and players must say what happened 
in those years. Thus : 

1620 — Landing of the Pilgrims. 

1492 — Columbus crossed the ocean blue. 

1776 — Declaration of Independence. 

1066 — Norman Invasion of England. 

Give a diary for the New Year to the player giving 
most events correctly. 

Quotations from the poets referring to certain months 
and with blanks where the month's names would occur 
to be filled in by players, make a pleasantly intellectual 
contest. Here is a partial list : 

What is so rare as a day in ? 



116 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Beware the ides of . 

The uncertain glory of an — day. 

In the merry month of . 



Seek roses in , ice in 



From a dozen to twenty-four such quotations will help 
to pass half an hour entertainingly. A book of quotations 
would make a suitable reward for the person compiling 
most of them. 

Or arrange the game of calendar quotations : 

Each player receives three slips orf paper cut to re- 
semble the leaflets from a slip calendar. On each slip is 
some day and date. The player receiving the slips must 
write on them quotations appropriate to the date written 
there. 

At the end of fifteen minutes the hostess collects and 
reads quotations. A prize is awarded for the set ad- 
judged best. 

COMPARATIVES. 

This is a good pencil and paper game. Each player 
chooses any word he likes (not an adjective), and tries to 
fit on to it a comparative and superlative. For example : 

Chosen word. Comparative. Superlative. 

tea tear test 

toe tower toast 

bee beer beast 

on honor honest 

fee fear feast 

foe four forest 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 117 

It will be seen that ordinary grammatical construction 
is banished, the point being to turn out grotesque and 
humorous sets, the more absurd the better. 

If the player is unsuccessful with his first word, he 
should try another. A quarter of an hour is allowed for 
a single set. If the time is exceeded a forfeit has to be 
paid. 

The conductor of the game then reads the sets aloud. 
If well put together they afford much amusement. 



THE FUSSY COOK. 

For children of the school-going age a good mental 
game is called The Fussy Cook. Some one begins by stat- 
ing that he has a very good cook, who is, however, very 
finicky in her taste and doesn't like peas. He asks what 
he shall give her to eat? Each person in the row^ or 
circle must then name some article of food which is 
spelled without the letter *T.'' Thus, Spinach would not 
do for the cook nor would potatoes ; but cabbage and celery 
would both be acceptable to her. Any one failing to 
tiame an article without a *T'' in it or who gives one 
by mistake that contains the fatal letter, must pay a for- 
feit. Or a prize may be given to the boy or girl who 
.outsits all the others in the row or circle. An amusing 
forfeit which never fails to create fun is to have the un- 
lucky player go to each person in the room and smile 
sweetly at him or her in order to expiate his blunder. 



118 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 



HEROES AND HEROINES. 

A GOOD game for lovers of fiction is easily arranged in 
twenty minutes or half an hour. 

To begin it the hostess distributes among her guests 
large cards or strips of cardboard on which are the 
names of fifty characters, male and female, extracted 
from standard or popular novels, who must be identified 
to win the prize. 

This is done by writing opposite the name of each char- 
acter the title of the book in w^hich he or she figures. Each 
player may have a separate list, or partners may be chosen 
who work together to fill out the same card. 

CHARACTERS. 

Babbie (The Little Minister). 

Dinah Morris (Adam Bede). 

Nydia (The Last Days of Pompeii). 

Kate Hardcastle (She Stoops to Conquer), 

Adam Moss (A Kentucky Cardinal). 

Little Eva (LTncle Tom's Cabin). 

Blanche Amory (Pendennis). 

Rosamond Lydgate (Middlemarch). 

Sir Lucius O'Trigger (The Rivals). 

Josephine March (Little Women). 

Sancho Panza (Don Quixote). 

Edward Fairfax Rochester (Jane Eyre). 

Miss Euphemia Dundas (Thaddeus of Warsaw). 

Noddy Boffin (Our Mutual Friend). 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 119 

Mrs. Malaprop (The Rivals). 
Lady Teasle (The School for Scandal). 
Quilp (The Old Curiosity Shop). 
Eugene Marchbanks (Candida). 
Lucy Dashwood (Charles O'Malley). 
Phineas Fletcher (John Halifax). 



A CAPITAL GAME. 

Another pleasant puzzle game concerned the capitals 
of the United States. The puzzle questions were written 
on cards cut and colored on one side to represent our na- 
tional ensign. Here are the questions with answers : 

What capital is a martyred statesman ? Lincoln. 

What capital is always peaceful ? Concord. 

What capital belongs to an inferior politician? 
Bos (s) ton. 

What capital is the title of a sovereign lady ? Augusta. 

What capital is a beneficent ruling power? Provi- 
dence. 

What capital is a lately opened harbor? Newport. 

What capital is an English dukedom? Albany. 

What capital of the Southern States should be wealthy ? 
Richmond. 

What capital is a gentleman of Queen Bess' time? 
Raleigh. 

What capital is the hero of New Orleans ? Jackson. 

What capital belongs to the aborigines? Indianapolis. 

What capital is composed of a natural water supply 
iand a meadow ? Springfield. 

What capital is a surgical operation? Lansing. 



120 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

What capital is an early President of the United 
States ? Madison. 

What capital is a celebrated convert to Christianity? 
St. Paul. 

What capital belongs to a beau of old Bath? Nash- 
ville. 

What capital is a small bowlder ? Little Rock. 

What capital made a splendid discovery? Columbus. 

What capital is a famous man of Germany ? Bismarck. 

What capital is the mother of a great Emperor? 
Helena. 

What capital belongs to a celebrated actor ? Jefferson 
City. 

What capital is an American historian? Prescott. 

What capital is a Grecian city? Olympia. 

A PATRIOTIC CONTEST. 

A NEW game that has been discovered is called Red, 
White and Blue. To play it, each man in the company 
invites some girl to act as his partner, and to each couple 
the hostess gives a strip of cardboard divided off in the 
following form: 



Red 


White 


Blue 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 121 

A pencil is attached to each card with tricolor ribbon. 
When the signal for beginning the game is given, each 
couple withdraws, and what the girl dictates the man 
writes on the card. 

It is her part to dictate rapidly, in any order in which 
they occur to mind, the names of things red, white and 
blue in Nature, as rose, cherry, ruby, garnet ; snow, foam, 
cloud, milk ; sky, turquoise, forget-me-not, robin's tgg. 

Only the man can write. He is not allowed to add to 
the list any names of objects which occur to him and 
not to his partner. 

At the end of twenty minutes the cards are collected, 
and the two who are found to have the most color nouns 
on their cards are awarded prizes. 

A book-mark with decoration in Uncle Sam's chosen 
hues makes a good selection for the man's prize. The 
girl could receive a box of candy with a picture of Colum- 
bia on the cover. 

YACHT RACE. 

A GAME immensely popular with children, and which 
older boys and girls do not disdain, is Yacht Race. 

Each player receives a chart at the top of which the 
name of his yacht is written. Marine-sounding names 
are- usually given, as The Sea Swallow, Neptune's Dar- 
ling, The Wavelet, The Mermaid. 

The chart is also decorated when possible with a sketch 
of a vessel under sail or a picture of one cut from a 
magazine or advertisement and pasted on. 

Along the edge of the chart run the numbers from i to 



122 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

lo and following each number the direction the yacht is to 
sail in to find its next port. This direction is given 
briefly, as "Due south/' or "Nor'east/' 

The ports are represented by inch square pieces of 
white paper. Each yacht has ten of them. Thus, the 
Ariel's ports would be numbered Ariel i, Ariel 2, Ariel 3, 
Ariel 4. 

These ports are placed around the rooms in full view 
and each shipmaster has to find his own. 

All start from the same dock, which may be a chair, 
table or a certain corner of the room. 

Each captain sails by his own chart, paying no attention 
to those of other navigators, the routes being different 
in every case. 

As the ports are reached they are taken down and 
pinned to the charts. 

The captain first to find all his ports wins the race. He 
may receive a prize in the shape of a chocolate or candy 
ship. 

The person preparing this game will find that it saves 
time to plan one chart by itself, writing down the sailing 
directions on the chart when the port is arranged. 



FORFEIT NUTS. 

The "Frolic of the Forfeit Nuts'' is generally pro- 
nounced one of the merriest of games. It is a round of 
nonsense pure and simple, but delightful and entailing no 
brain fag. 

Without explaining that anything unusual is to be ex- 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 123 

pected, the small host passes around the room two bowls 
of English walnuts, distributing at the same time nut- 
crackers. One bowl is passed among the girls, each of 
whom takes a nut, while the other bowl serves the boys. 
When the bell rings as a signal for the start, each boy or 
girl cracks the walnut drawn. In some cases tiny gifts, 
as candy, penknives, wee dolls, calendars and other trifles, 
are found, but such good luck is rare, and for the most 
part the children find themselves possessed of morsels 
of tissue paper on which are written suggestions for 
"stunts," which the recipients must perform. Each forfeit 
paper is numbered, the number representing the order in 
which the forfeiters are to be called on to perform. 

The '*stunts" written on the little papers are highly di- 
verting. One of the girls is handed a clothespin, which 
she is directed to hold like a doll, singing it to sleep. 
Another '^coming woman" sews on buttons with her left 
hand, a third emulates Adelina Patti by singing *' Tis 
the Last Rose of Summer," A boy guest, hardly more 
fortunate, is invited to imitate an organ grinder's monkey, 
hopping around the room and holding out his cap. An- 
other unlucky mortal finds himself expected to recite the 
first two stanzas of a celebrated poem, checking off each 
word with a number, thus: *The (one) boy (two) stood 
(three) on (four) the (five) burning (six) deck 
(seven)," etc., while the little girl on his left is obliged 
by the regulations to walk around the room, smiling 
sweetly on each person in turn. Kissing one's shadow 
on the wall three times is a very mirthful forfeit, and one 
in which a boy imitates the cries of the denizens of a 
barnyard is equally so. There are also *'stunts" which 



124 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

consist in running round the room backward, within a 
certain time, and warbHng Hke a canary. 



CONTESTS FOR YOUNG FOLKS PARTIES. 

There is nothing like a contest to make young people 
easy and merry together, so I would advise you to plan 
for some at your next entertainments. 

These contests may be purely literary or simply in the 
line of "stunts/' For the former give each one a pad 
with a certain number of words written on it. The con- 
test will be to have each one write a short story or poem 
containing all the words, and to give a prize to the one 
whose product is voted best. 

PRONUNCIATION GAME. 

Interesting and instructive is a pronunciation game, 
selecting words in common use and commonly mispro- 
nounced. The leader for this wnW have to post up be- 
forehand, getting the latest authorities on pronunciation. 
Here is the way to play this game : Let all gather around 
a large table or in a circle and let the leader give out the 
words in turn by spelling them. Ofifer a prize for the one 
who stands up longest or makes the fewest errors. Here 
is a list of twenty words, given lately at a contest of this 
sort : 

Address, adult, apparatus, acoustic, automobile, bi- 
cycle, caffein, cicatrix, clematis, cocaine, cornet, eczema, 
exemplary, gladiolus, obligatory, orthoepist, paresis, pro- 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 125 

gramme, pyramidal, chaufifeur, etc. If preferred, take 
geographical names in common use, such as Worcester, 
Syracuse, Schenectady, Athens, Coxsackie, Leicester- 
shire, Gila, Los Angeles. 

POTPOURRI OF CONTESTS. 

Other contests that make plenty of fun are to see who 
can hold the most beans in one hand, or the most peanuts ; 
who can count the longest without taking breath; who 
can pick up an orange from the floor upon a common pin 
and make a complete circuit of the room holding it poised 
and using but one hand. A rice-eating contest with chop- 
sticks is sure to make a laugh, as also the old feat of 
drawing a pig with the eyes closed. Somewhat in line 
with this is a game suggested recently in one of the good 
home magazines, and called ''Building a Home'': 

A white sheet is to be stretched across the archway be- 
tween two rooms to serve as a canvas for the painter. 
The guests are seated in front, each being provided with 
one or more pictures cut from magazines or flower cata- 
logues. Those who can draw well are given crayons. 
Now the company discuss in general the ideal home and 
its surroundings and accessories, including an automobile 
or horses, chickens, dog or cat. Now let one of the com- 
pany sketch a house, blocking out the shrubbery, the 
walks and flower beds. The leader next calls for certain 
pictures, an auto in waiting, a saddle horse to be tied at 
the front gate, a cat on the porch, a hen and chickens in 
the back yard, the lady of the house in her hammock, and 
so on. As each picture is called for, the individual hold- 



12r> Book of Parties and Pastimes 

ing that one is blindfolded, turned around several times 
and told to put his picture in position. And now the fun 
begins, the actual disposition of the various accessories 
being such a far cry from the place in which they are 
supposed to be. 

REFRESHMENTS FOR AN EVENING PARTY. 

It is quite correct to have a regular supper for your 
evening party if you wish, though much easier to serve 
from a buffet. For a regular suppler the menu might in- 
clude bouillon in cups, followed by creamed oysters or 
lobster a la Newburg. The next course can be chicken 
croquettes, bread and butter sandwiches and peas, with 
a tiny pickle or olive on each plate. Follow with a fruit 
or nut salad ; then serve ices. Or a simpler menu, chicken 
salad with hot wafers, stuffed olives, ice cream, cakes and 
coffee, will be quite sufficient. 



LITERARY GEOGRAPHY. 

A HOSTESS at a loss for some new way to entertain a 
party of clever people of mixed ages devised a new pad- 
and-pencil game called ''Literary Geography,'' w^hich was 
greatly enjoyed. 

It took but a short time to get up and cost nothing, 
consisting merely of a series of questions about countries, 
rivers, mountains, etc., found in history, romance, fiction 
or legend, with the reverse left blank for answers. 

An hour was allowed for a voyage of discovery to the 



Booh of Parties and PasUme^ 127 

various parts of the known and unknown world. A 
book of literary pilgrimages rewarded the traveler whose 
list at the end of that time proved most complete. 

The original questions, with their answers, were as fol- 
lows: 

Where is the city of Xanadu located ? 

In Coleridge's dream poem of "Kubla Khan.'' 

What young w^oman in literature penetrated to a certain 
country where no human being has been before or since ? 

Little Alice, who went through the looking-glass into 
Wonderland. 

What sea took its name from a king drowned in it ? 

The yEgean, from -^Egeus, the father of Theseus, who, 
according to the myth, committed suicide in it. 

Where was the bridge that Horatius kept with his 
valiant friends? 

Across the Tiber, near Rome. 

Where is the "Sweet Vale of Avoca,'' in whose bosom 
the bright waters meet? 

It is situated in the County of Wicklow, Ireland. 

What water did Leander swim to meet Hero ? 

The Hellespont. 

What countries did Gulliver visit in his celebrated 
travels ? 

Lilliput and Brobdingnag. 

.The ferryman of what river has the most dismal duty 
on record ? 

Charon, who conveys the souls of the dead over the 
River Styx. 

On what island was Apollo born, according to mythol- 
ogy? 



128 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

On Delos, an island in the 7Egt^.n Sea. 

Of what country was Croesus, the rich man, king? 

Of Lydia. 

What land, the scene of a famous exile, is visited 
nightly by hundreds of children ? 

The Land of Nod (to which Cain went after the mur- 
der of Abel). 

Where was the original Arcadia ? 

It was a pretty district in the Peloponnesus, represented 
as being a place of great simplicity and contentment and 
much celebrated by ancient poets. 

What mountain caused the ruin of a German knight ? 

The Venusberg, where Tannhaeuser succumbed to 
temptation. 

What country was called El Dorado (The Golden 
Land) ? 

It was a name bestowed by the Spaniards in the six- 
teenth century on an imaginary land, abounding in gold 
and gems, supposed to be situated in the interior of South 
America. 

What is "The Eternal City?'' 

Rome, so called by classic poets because fabled to have 
been built under the favor and protection of the gods. 

In w^hat work was New York first called Gotham? 

In ''Salmagundi,'' by Washington Irving. 

What lake was styled The Horicon, and by whom ? 

Lake George. The name is an invention of James Feni- 
more Cooper, the novelist. 

What is The Land of Beulah? 

In Bunyan's allegory, a land of rest and quiet, signify- 
ing the Christian's state of mind. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 129 

What river saved Tarn o' Shanter from the witches? 

'^Bonnie Doon/' 

Of what country was Sancho Panza made Governor 
by Don Quixote ? 

Of Barataria. 

What do poets refer to as "The Spanish Main"? 

To the coast along the northern part of South America 
— sometimes erroneously to the Caribbean Sea itself. 

Where is or was Utopia ? 

An imaginary island possessing perfect laws, politics, 
etc., the invention of Sir Thomas More; now used as a 
synonym for a state of society almost too good to be 
possible. 

Where is Acadia ? 

This was the original and is now the poetic name of 
Nova Scotia. 

Locate Albion, Caledonia and Cambria. 

These are the ancient and now the poetical names of 
England, Scotland and Wales. 

In what book is the Cave of Mammon described ? 

In the second book of Spenser's "Faerie Queene," 
v/here it figures as the abode of the god of riches. 

Where is the country of Cipango ? 

It was a fabulous island described by Marco Polo, by 
some authorities supposed to coincide with Japan. 
• By what name did Marco Polo describe China? 

As Cathay. 



180 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

GAME OF CITIES. 

Every now and then some bright person discovers a 
new question and answer game. These are always worth 
passing on. 

The hostess who cannot find time to plan out a more 
varied and ambitious entertainment can spare the hour re- 
quired to copy a set of queries on cards or on a black- 
board. They are just the thing for semi-impromptu 
aflfairs where far-ahead p^^eparation is impossible, and 
for filling in an evening which for one reason or another 
threatens to hang heavily. 

A new and good one recently out is called the Game 
of Cities. I give the queries as well as the idea for the 
sake of those interested. Decorate squares of cardboard 
with borders of your city colors, tying with narrow 
ribbon in the same combination. Have the questions on 
one side, leaving the other for the answers. To the 
ribbon attach little colored pencils. 

CITIES. 

The city of discernment ? Perspicacity. 
The city of the bold? Audacity. 
The city of the acute? Sagacity. 
The city of quarrels? Pugnacity. 
The city of space? Capacity. 
The plundering city? Rapacity. 
The cloudy city? Opacity. 
The citv of the honest? V^eracitv. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 131 

The sprightly city? Vivacity. 

The city of beggars? Mendacity. 

The happy city ? FeHcity. 

The city without powers ? Incapacity. 

The city of the wretched ? Infelicity. 

The involved city? Complicity. 

The city that is more than one ? Multiplicity. 

The city of double dealing? Duplicity. 

The slippery city? Lubricity. 

The brilliant city ? Electricity. 

The odd city? Eccentricity. 

The genuine city ? Authenticity. 

The springy city? Elasticity. 

The rural city? Rusticity. 

The advanced youthful city ? Precocity. 

The city of speed? Velocity. 

The city of savages? Ferocity. 

An outrageous city? Atrocity. 

The famine-stricken city? Scarcity. 

The city of the few ? Paucity. 



CARD PARTIES AND DANCES. 
IDEAS FOR CARD PARTIES. 

A TRIP TO WHISTVILLE. 

A SPLENDID plan for an evening frolic which embraces 
the ever enjoyable Salmagundi idea of a progression with 
a different game at each table is called A Trip to Whist- 



132 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

ville. From a week to ten days in advance of the enter- 
tainment each prospective guest receives a Httle note 
couched in the following form : 

My Dear Miss Edgeworth : 

I hope you can make one of us on a Trip to Whist- 
ville on Friday evening, the twenty-fifth. A special 
train leaves our house at 8 :30. Trusting that nothing 
will interfere with the pleasure I shall have in seeing 
you, I remain, 

Sincerely yours, 

Helen Burton. 

Arriving on the evening appointed each guest receives 
first of all a long yellow slip (tally-card) shaped and 
punched to represent a railway ticket. On one side of 
this are written the various stations at which the train will 
stop ; on the reverse, nonsense rules to be observed on the 
journey, the object of which is to keep people amused 
until all are on the scene. 

The stations of the route may be as follows or the indi- 
vidual hostess may exchange some of them for any other 
games preferred : 

I, Fantantown; 2, Euchre Valley; 3, Heartsbury; 4, 
Casinoborough ; 5, Pinochleton ; 6, Whistville. 

Of course, the first part of the name of each station 
indicates one of the games to be played at some table. 
Four travelers' tickets begin with the same station, in- 
dicating the table at which they will start, the arrange- 
ment of each four tickets being different as to order of the 
stations only. The two persons winning highest scores 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 133 

in each round have their tickets punched opposite the 
name of the table from which they progress. 

The prizes should take a form suggestive of travel ; for 
example, that of miniature hand-satchels or trunks filled 
with candy. 

The rules printed on the reverse side of the tickets are 
simply amusing nonsense, for which the following will af- 
ford some idea : 

1. Passengers must not put their heads out of car win- 
dows while the train is in motion. 

2. Stop-ofifs for those requiring them at each station. 

3. No parlor chairs on this special train. 

4. Positively no "twosing" allowed during the trip. 

At the end of the progression, after the distribution 
of gifts, a stentorian voice from the hall calls out ''Twenty 
minutes for refreshments!'' setting everybody laughing, 
and giving the signal for adjourning to the dining-room. 

Bowls of bouillon, big sandwiches, hot coffee, bananas, 
peanuts and plump railway chocolate creams are the cor- 
rect refreshments for a ride to Whistville. 

CARDS WITH FAVORS. 

A NEW idea for the summer whist or euchre party this 
season is to have favors for each round instead of final 
prizes. Simple home-made trifles may be used for the 
favors to save expense when necessary. The fun of win- 
ning them at each table gives zest to the individual game. 

At a successful afternoon euchre recently given the en- 
tertainer provided for the first round Japanese postcards 
swung on ribbon of Oriental suggestion. 



134 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

The players found their places by matching their cards, 
which were arranged in groups of four by way of subject. 
Each group had a number written on it in ink, indicating 
the table. The blank side of the card served as tally 
during the progression. 

Four hands were played at each table. The two ladies 
losing at each table remained seated. The two winning 
players went into the adjoining room, where favors were 
distributed among all those entitled to them. These 
favors were dainty paper fans. 

In the second round pretty handkerchiefs were given 
to all those who won ; in the third, tiny coin purses ; 
fourth, memorandum books; fifth, pincushions in the 
form of flowers ; sixth, single long-stemmed roses ; 
seventh, quarter-pound boxes of candy; eighth, tissue- 
paper headdresses. 

Where some items of such a distribution would prove 
too great a tax upon the pocket money of the entertainer, 
home-made articles should be substituted. Suggestions 
for such trifles are : 

The familiar little sachets made from leftovers of 
ribbon in the shape of flowers, needlebooks, shell pin- 
cushions, cornucopias of tissue paper filled with candy, 
penwipers, blotters, fortunes in gilded nuts or envelopes, 
tissue-paper flowers or wreaths. The list can be in- 
finitely varied. 

CARDS WITH COLORS. 

A NEW twist for the conventional whist, euchre or 
hearts progression which will give it an air of originality 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 135 

is the introduction of color groups and tallies by color. 
The number of guests should be a multiple of four, and to 
each four players a certain shade or color is assigned. 
Four persons on entering the parlor on the festive after- 
noon or evening receive red tissue-paper roses, four more 
receive pink tissue-paper carnations, yet another four 
yellow chrysanthemums, etc. Each player pins on his or 
her flower where all may see it. The four players receiv- 
ing red floAvers begin the game together, other colors 
grouping in the same way. A table for each group may 
be assigned by the hostess, or it may be decorated in the 
appropriate colors. The progression is the same as in 
ordinary euchre, whist, or hearts, the colors separating by 
the fortunes of the gam.e after the first round ; but instead 
of having persons seated opposite to each other play as 
partners, each plays for himself when he is the only repre- 
sentative of his color at the table ; while two players wear- 
ing the same color, if they happen to meet at one table, 
play as partners, combining their forces against those 
wearing opposing hue. 

Tally is kept in a way both pretty and novel. For this, 
baby ribbon in the appropriate shades (or cord if neces- 
sary) is stretched across the room just above the heads 
of the players. Each color has a ribbon and each of the 
ribbons is detachable at one end, where it is attached to 
a tiny hook which fits into a small staple in the wall. In- 
stead of the player who has won a trick receiving a star 
on his score-card this progression is represented by means 
of a large disk of tissue paper in the color of one's group. 
A small ring, such as comes ready pasted for passe-par- 
touting pictures, is attached to each colored marker, mak- 



136 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

ing it easy to slip on the ribbon of one's special group. 
When a number of these markers have been swung upon 
the ribbons the effect is charming. At the end of the 
round the markers are counted. The four persons wear- 
ing the color which has most tallies to show upon its rib- 
bon draw for the first prize; the four persons whose 
color comes next draw for the second prize, and those 
who have fewest markers to show, for the booby. 

For a hearts party the tallies can be cut in heart shape ; 
for a Japanese euchre or fan-tan, tiny inexpensive paper 
fans could be hung upon the ribbons instead of the tissue- 
paper markers. The idea is adaptable to various games 
and occasions. 

A MATINEE EUCHRE. 

A NEW idea in progressive euchres is the matinee 
euchre, an afternoon affair from which men are barred. 
It has become especially popular among girls as a way 
of spending a pleasant and social afternoon without great 
expense or much preparation. Even a weekly matinee 
club is apt to prove somewhat of a burden and drain upon 
the purse of the girl who is obliged to consider the pen- 
nies. Young women who would add much to the jollity 
and life of such a club are often held back from joining by 
the thought of the ten-dollar bill to be expended in useless 
prizes and elaborate refreshments. 

The girls of a pleasant little matinee club have hit upon 
a plan for removing this objection. Knowing that a 
number of the girls invited could not afford to provide 
expensive fancywork or silver articles as prizes, they 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 137 

decided that no member should be allowed to do so. In- 
stead, each hostess entertaining the club was asked to pro- 
vide some really useful article of dress. Accordingly, one 
hostess secured for her trophy the goods for a thin sum- 
mer gown. Another bought gloves. Another a pretty 
parasol. A dainty underskirt figured at one meeting, and 
evening gloves at a second. Dainty neckwear was also 
appreciated as ''stakes.'' It was unanimously agreed that 
no member of the club should lay out more than two 
dollars for her prizes, or serve elaborate refreshments. 
Every member, be her finances what they might, served 
only ice cream and cake, with, if she desired, bonbons. 
For chilly days it was allowable to substitute hot choco- 
late and sandwiches for the cream and cake. 



SOME NOVEL DANCES. 

A NOVEL SHADOW DANCE. 

A SHADOW DANCE makcs a delightful idea for a sub- 
scription entertainment or any dance of semi-public char- 
acter. Colored calcium lights are thrown on the dancers 
from the balcony, the color changing every few minutes. 
Under a pink light the company becomes rosy and fairy- 
like; under a green one they are transformed into spec- 
ters. During the dances confetti is showered down from 
the balcony, and at midnight, when the dance comes to an 
end, occurs a shower of little objects which serve as 
favors. Thus, for a patriotic occasion the midnight 
shower is of tiny United States flags; for March 17th, of 



138 Book of Fariics and Fasiimcs 

shamrocks ; for a flower dance, artificial daisies or violets ; 
for a midwinter dance, wee cotton or paper ''snowballs," 
etc. 

IDEA FOR COLLEGE DANCES. 

An innovation that caused great fun at a men's col- 
lege dance was a search for anagrammed names. To get 
it up, as many white cards as there were men and girls 
invited were secured, and on each was written a riddle 
which when correctly guessed would give the name of 
some man or girl present. Examples of the riddles \v\\\ 
help to show the plan : 

Sound of a trumpet? Blair (blare). 

The oldest family of all? Adams. 

A native of Caledonia? Scott, 

The flouriesf name? Miller. 

The state of a honeymoon? Bliss. 

The modest architect of the barrel ? Cooper. 

The name of great profits ? Gaines. 

The harbinger of sum.mer? Martin. 

The toiler of the forge? Smith. 

Each card was perforated with ribbon and tied up 
somewhere around the parlors to furniture, bric-a-brac, 
hall railings, or elsewhere. 

A man might ask a girl to dance in the usual way, but 
before they could dance together he must first discover 
her name, w^hile she found his. 

With the first strains of a ravishing waltz in one's ears, 
the scramble could not but become an exciting one. 

Another way to arrange the frolic would be to give the 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 139 

girls anagrammed cards with men's names, and the men 
girls' names. Those who hold each other's names, when 
these are riddled out, are partners for the cotillion. 



A SNOW-WHITE DANCE. 

A SUMMER FROLIC which IS particularly cool and re- 
freshing to the eye is a Snow-white Dance, or, as it is 
also called, a Shirtwaist Cotillion. This affair (which 
fails of its object if it becomes too formal) affords an 
opportunity for cool dress on the part of the men as well 
as the girls. Each girl is requested to come wearing a 
shirtwaist suit, the simpler the better, in white, of course, 
while the men appear in white ducks, white canvas shoes 
and general morning array. White is used to festoon 
the room, either white crepe paper or cheese-cloth being 
available for the purpose. Invitations are written on white 
paper. Among the favors liave little bags of white tissue 
paper tied with white ribbon, which w^hen burst scatter 
w^hite confetti upon the scene. White paper fans could be 
distributed among the girls and white boutonnieres among 
the men in another round. 

On the wall have snow scenes, the frames covered with 
raw cotton, on which silver powder has been sprinkled. 
Have the claret bowl or lemonade bowl banked around 
with white cotton batting, sprinkled with the silver dust. 

Have the supper table also in white, using white china 
without touch of color, or glass and silver. Place the 
glass candlesticks and prominent dishes in mounds of 
cotton batting. The centerpiece, which should be of 



140 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

white flowers of some kind, is similarly arranged. Fill 
the candy dishes with white bonbons mixed with others 
wrapped in silver paper. A frosted white cake may be 
used instead of the flower bowl or vase for the table 
centerpiece. ; 

DIGGING FOR CLAMS. 

At a small informal dance which rounded up one of 
last summer's clambakes, a feature was introduced 
which might be copied for some of this season's frolics, 
whether or not there is question of a feast of the shell- 
fish. 

To arrange this, collect a quantity of nice white clam- 
shells, which should be matched in pairs. Cut in halves 
some kodak views of Father Ocean, some marine picture 
postals or anything having the required nautical flavor. 
Put half a picture in each pair of clam-shells and glue the 
shells together. Have two large packing boxes filled with 
seashore sand. In these put the clam-shells, having one 
set of halves in one box, the other in the other. When 
the music begins (not before, as that would spoil the 
fun), the girls dig in one box, the men in the other. 
Those who have matching halves are partners for the 
first dance and may begin upon it at once without waiting 
for other couples. A clam-shell of pasteboard filled with 
candy might be given to the lady of the pair who lead 
away the dance. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 141 



INDIAN POW-WOW. 

Invitations are written with red ink on birch bark or 
upon an imitation of the natural bark, which can be ob- 
tained through a modern stationer. 

The room should be walled with pine boughs, through 
which peep out great bunches of wild flowers — the wild 
purple asters; goldenrod, if this has appeared; black- 
eyed Susans and other blooms of the showier sort, which 
will make for color in the setting. The buckets or jars 
in which the stems are placed should be carefully con- 
cealed from sight in order to give the effect of flowers 
growing in nature. 

If such a thing be borrowable for the occasion, have a 
birch-bark Indian canoe filled with water lilies. These are 
tied in the form of bunches for the girls, the men receiv- 
ing single buds for boutonnieres. 

Favors for the different figures of the cotillion should 
be all of Indian suggestion. Hints for these are so many 
and diverse that only a few need be mentioned here. They 
include for the girls quill feathers, gilded or touched wnth 
war-paint ; miniature birch-bark canoes, filled with bon- 
bons or flowers ; papoose pincushions, beaded belts, neck- 
laces of beads or beadworked purses. For the men, bow 
and arrows, moccasins, sofa pillows of undressed leather, 
with Indian finish. For both sexes, Indian baskets of 
sweet grass. 

Little sachets, or even sofa pillows of balsam pine, 
would also be acceptable and appropriate. 

To make a centerpiece both unique and cunning for the 



142 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

refreshment table, cover the base of the chandelier with 
pine boughs and from this depend an Indian doll in his 
queer rigid cradle. He hang's there as if rocked by the 
bleak wind of the forest in primeval days. Below could 
come a low bed of flowers. 

Have the candies, cakes and other dainties in Indian 
baskets, which may, if necessary, be lined with oiled 
paper. 

Have the ice cream molded in the form of painted 
warriors' heads if the molds for these can be secured. 
If not, serve it in tiny cases of birch bark, real or imita- 
tion. 

A MYTHICAL HOP. 

Some inventive mind has devised a catchy plan for a 
midwinter dance in a Carnival of Alyths and Fables, to 
which each invited person comes representing some per- 
sonage whose name is greater than his historical basis, 
and carefully concealing his identity. William Tell will 
appear in company with the Sandman, the Easter Rabbit 
with Santa Claus, Bluebeard with a Banshee, and the 
Ogre with Robin Goodfellow. The gathering will be a 
motley one. 

When every one expected is on the scene, cards are 
distributed and all asked to guess the different myths 
and fables represented, writing opposite them their fleshly 
names for identification. This occupies half an hour, 
the player naming most of the fabulous company being 
rewarded with a book of fabwlous lore. This over, the 
musicians appear on the scene. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 143 

A cotillion concludes the programme, favors being 
glass Cinderella slippers, toy bows and arrows from Robin 
Hood, candy-box apples from William Tell, chocolate 
eggs from the Easter Rabbit, toys from Santa Claus, and 
funny little Jap skeletons from the various ghosts and 
specters. 

DANCE OF CARDS. 

For another successful dance the company invited con- 
sisted of fifty-three persons, the number of the card deck 
including a joker. Each participant was dressed to rep- 
resent some card of the deck in the matter of color as 
well as suit. Favors were candy boxes in the form of 
hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades. 



A CARNIVAL OF SPORTS. 

A NEW and extremely pretty costume party is called a 
Carnival of Sports. Invitations ask the guests to come 
representing some particular pastime, either of the indoor 
or outdoor order. In some cases the nature of the sport 
which the guest is to personify is indicated. 

The list of sports and games available for representa- 
tion is a very long one. Some of the most inspiring are 
golf, tennis, yachting, discus-throwing, baseball, football, 
polo, skating, horseback exercise, croquet, sleighing and 
the indoor games — ^hearts, whist, euchre, dominos, di- 
abolo, poker, fan-tan, to w^hich can be added dancing 
and physical culture exercises. 

A few illustrations of the pictured sports will show 
the possibilities of the idea in the way of fancy dress. 



144« Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

Golf — Short skirt and coat of Scotch plaid, with Scotch 
"bonnet'' and plume. Player carries golf-stick. Or 
idealized costume of ''faire greene," with border formed 
of gold instruments, embroidered or painted. Coronet 
made up of tiny golf balls. Or hat composed of a ring 
of these and beefeater crown of white or green satin. 

Tennis — Gown the color either of earth or grass court, 
divided off with sharp white lines into squares. The 
skirt covered with coarse net. Tiny racquet sewed to 
blouse to form a trimming. 

Baseball is best typified by one of the male contingent 
attired in the costume of a team. 

Football may be represented by the college football 
dress, the masquerader carrying a ''pigskin," or by the 
football girl with her college pennant, special flowers and 
other indications of the game. 

For a "whip," a tight-fitting habit and silk hat with 
floating veil makes an attractive and conventional cos- 
tume for a woman. Or she may elect to wear a short 
skirt and jacket with leather headdress suggesting a 
bridle; to embroider her blouse with horses' heads or 
decorate it with buttons of the same suggestion ; to make 
a border of pliable leather or leather reins for skirt. 

The man who adopts this sport for the evening might 
wear the costume of a Rough Rider, or a suit of hunter's 
pink, carrying hunting horn, with fox's brush at his belt. 

Croquet is delightfully pictured by a girl in the cos- 
tume of our grandmothers' day — the flowered muslin 
period — with wide garden hat trimmed with roses. She 
carries a mallet. 

Or the costume can be daintily fantastic with founda- 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 145 

tion of grass-green or white, on which are painted pictur- 
esque croquet balls and mallets. The tiny mallets sold 
for favors are worn in the coiffure like Japanese fans. 

Swimming is prettily represented by an idealized bath- 
ing dress of silk in princess style, with cap to match. Min- 
iature life-preservers and buoys, as well as marine crea- 
tures, such as starfish and seashore shells, make up the 
decoration of this gown. 

A skating costume which will not prove too warm for 
dancing is made of white cotton crepe or other white 
goods painted with black spots to represent ermine. A 
becoming cap or headdress can be fashioned from the 
same material as the dress. 

Again, the person assuming this sport can typify the 
Frost King or the Ice Spirit, according to sex. The Frost 
King wears a costume of Santa Claus pattern in white or 
gray trimmed with bands of silver braid. He wears a 
crown of silver paper sparkling with diamond dust and 
carries a silver wand. The Ice Spirit is very charming in 
white or pearl-colored robes, with border of jingling 
icicles (pendant glass beads) and a coronet formed of 
doll's skates. 

Another pretty dress among the cold-weather frolics is 
that of sleighing. A brown costume is attractive for this 
part with trimming of white cotton batting snow, and a 
crown of tiny silver sleighbells; or a cap of the brown 
trimmed with ''snow" in which a cluster of these little 
sleighbells are fastened. 

Mountain-climbing, that most absorbing of occupations 
to its adventurous devotees, is suggested by a tourist's 
costume appropriate to the sex of the impersonator, with 



146 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Alpine stock, and edelweiss worn in the cap or pinned to 
coat or gown. 

Or the masquerader can be the mountain itself whose 
perilous ascent holds such fascination. A dress of brown 
with tiny trees, pebbles, et cetera, sewed over its surface, 
and a cap of blue for the sky, with white gauze trimming 
for the nebulous heights. 

In the way of costumes for indoor games, that of hearts 
is particularly inspiring. It can be adapted from the 
characteristic attire of the King, Queen or Knave of 
Hearts in the playing pack and reproduced with proper 
stiffness. 

Or a pretty girl may elect to have hers of pink w^ith 
embroidered design of arrow-pierced hearts. Again, a 
white gown would be charming w^ith festoons of the 
hearts in pink on skirt and blouse, and silver and gold 
heart-shaped trophies dangling from the girdle. Heart- 
shaped ornaments are worn in the hair. 

Dominos afford a specially distinctive dress in black 
and white. Even white paper muslin, mad^ up in Greek 
style, with painted border of dominos represented as laid 
side by side lengthwise, has been made extremely effec- 
tive as well as very cheap. 

Poker wears a gown or suit dotted over with the 
colored chips and a coronet formed of these. He or she 
carries a vessel filled with gold (paper) and labeled 
"Jack Pot." 

Fan-tan wears Chinese robes of the popular kimono 
pattern, having the surface covered with fans. Tiny 
breeze-makers are inserted in the coiffure of either male 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 147 

or female impersonators, and fans with playing cards 
pasted on them are carried. 

Dancing could be delightfully represented by a pair of 
partners in Roger de Coverley costume, who enter the 
room together and tread a stately, old-time measure. 



NOVEL BARN DANCES. 

Age cannot alter, nor custom stale, the perpetual popu- 
larity of the barn dance as a social merry-making. 

Like the progressive card party, while new favorites 
come and go, this form of frolic "goes on forever/' and 
is always a success. 

A hall can be employed when a barn is not to be had, 
and can be made very barnlike w^ith autumn leaves and 
country produce. 

Besides the boughs of scarlet and yellow foliage, there 
should be bales of straw and rolls of fodder corn in the 
corners of the room; ropes of apples and onions and 
chains of dried corn ears wired together to festoon the 
walls; pumpkins and squash lanterns as illumination. 
Country dress is, of course, a foregone conclusion, but in 
case the women forget the necessary caps and aprons, 
these can be sold at the door- — caps, five cents; aprons, 
ten. Calico ties for the men guests, at five cents, can 
also be oflFered, and straw farmer hats at ten cents. The 
proceeds can be donated to some local charity. 

THE SPOOK DANCE. 

A barn dance with an element of mystery, which 



148 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

renders it specially suitable for a frolic in an old barn, is a 
Carnival of Spirits (or, as it is also called, a Spook Hop). 
Invitations should be decorated with skull and crossbones, 
and might be worded after this model : 

Dear Spirit: 

We hope you can attend a Carnival of the Spirits 
at Mason's Barn, by the Mill Creek, on Thursday 
evening, from 9 to 12. R. S. V. P., and in case you 
join us wear spook dress and disguise. 

Yours ghostily, 

The Spirits. 

The spirit dress is a loose, flowing costume cut from 
old sheets, with a muslin mask. It is, perhaps, the most 
inexpensive fancy dress disguise ever discovered by 
merry revelers. 

On the appointed evening arriving guests find the barn 
dark, save for one flickering lantern swung at the portal. 
The barn door is opened by a spirit, which lays one finger 
upon its lips and indicates the direction guests are to take 
in order to join the rest of the ethereal merrymakers. 

The dancing hall (found by means of small pumpkin 
lamps strung along the corridors) is draped with white 
and black tissue paper. At one end of it a concealed 
orchestra plays faint music for the dancers. 

The unmasking may take place about eleven o'clock. 
When masks are removed the orchestra plays aloud. At 
half past eleven, supper is served — usually on boards laid 
across trestles. These boards may be trimmed in advance 
with black and white crepe paper, looped up with rosettes 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 149 

of the same. Favors are tiny skeletons, death's-head 
candle lamps and other shivery trifles. 

BURNS BARN DANCE. 

When a really charming costume reel, with plenty of 
scope for color effect and originality, is desired, try a 
''Robert Burns Dance." Invitations are issued in eigh- 
teenth-century phraseology, and programmes have tiny 
miniatures of the poet, with different verses extracted 
from the poems. At least a portion of the programme 
will consist of the Roger de Coverley and square or 
country dances. The polka, schottische and other old- 
fashioned terpsichorean favorites should figure rather 
than the modern two-step and waltz. The costumes re- 
quired are those of English or Scotch country folk of the 
eighteenth century. 

Nuts, cider, cookies, apples, and, if desired, coffee or 
mulled wine, form the refreshments. 

A HOBO DANCE. 

Then there is the Hobo Dance (or Tramps' Carnival), 
where the required costume is simply the most ragged and 
weather-beaten costume appropriate to his or her sex that 
the guest can put hands on. The corridor is laid with 
strips of wood, representing railroad ties, which the tat- 
terdemalion crowd must walk to reach the dancing-hall. 
Weary Walker and Wandering Willie find feminine coun- 
terparts among the women, all wearing patched frocks, 
old shoes and ragged millinery. Refreshments are served 
in tin pails. 



150 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



A NORTH POLE DANCE. 

A hostess with little to spend, took the twentieth cen- 
tur}' achievement of discovering the North Pole as the 
motif for her dance, with exceptionally pretty results. 
Invitations were written on frosted holiday cards, and all 
the girls among the guests were asked to come wearing 
white. The floor was covered with lightly drawn paper 
muslin (shiny and white) which supplied the slipperiness 
necessary for dancing. Window sills, picture frames, 
bookcases, etc. were hidden under a snowy layer of raw 
cotton. Several green pine trees were ranged around the 
walls and hung with glass icicles and tufts of snow. 

The favors were all of white and were chiefly of home 
manufacture. Hats and boas made of raw cotton stitched 
on calico were pretty, worn during the dance, and cost 
nothing. Wands painted white surmounted by tufts of 
shaved white tissue paper were also effective. Among 
the shop-bought novelties were snowballs filled with bon- 
bons and tiny snowshoes, found among the Indian goods. 
A pretty fancv was having these favors in the form of a 
huge snowdrift. That is to say, each dainty article was 
wrapped in an abundance of tissue paper, and all, when 
so v/rapped, were piled high upon a table for distribution. 
A little snow shovel was passed from hand to hand, 
which each guest used to dig out a bundle. 

Just before the guests adjourned for refreshment a 
heavy shower of confetti snow fell through the room. 

The refreshment table was, of course, perfectly white, 
sprinkled with silver powder. The side dishes contained 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 151 

white candies, green olives, peeled radishes and celery. 
The centerpiece was a miniature North Pole constructed 
of blocks of ice of various sizes heaped up in a pan with 
a low^ rim. The pan was concealed in a bank of the raw 
cotton snow. A doll enveloped in fur-cloth to the eyes 
surmounted the icy blocks and represented the daring 
explorer. 

The clam broth was served with tufts of unsweetened 
whipped cream, very snowy in suggestion, and the 
steamed fowl came to table smothered in cream sauce. 
The salad consisted of little snowballs of cream cheese, 
with walnut meats rolled in them, served on w^hite lettuce 
hearts. For dessert the confectioner furnished little snow- 
men of almond ice cream. 

In places where novelties cannot be obtained (snow) 
balls of the w^hite cream can be substituted and served 
with cakes frosted with fresh cocoanut. 

A DICKENS DANCE 

The very spirit of the joyous winter season and of the 
Yule the author loved so well, flavored a picturesque 
"Dickens Dance" given one January. Mine host being of 
the requisite height and other physical characteristics, im- 
personated Charles Dickens ; his wife became Little Nell. 
Every arrival, after the hospitable doors were throw^n 
open, brought some old favorite to be greeted in character 
by those already assembled. In the dance, David Copper- 
field led out the Marchioness, and Ham Peggotty the In- 
fant Phenomenon, while Captain Cuttle's name was writ- 
ten down opposite three of Esther Summerson's waltzes. 



152 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

Old-fashioned square dances of a generation ago replaced 
the usual cotillion. The supper table, revealed later on, 
was trimmed in quaint, old-time fashion. The center- 
piece consisted of an epergne with four tiers for holding 
fruit, nuts, raisins and old-fashioned motto candies 
wrapped in gilt paper. At either end of the table stood a 
vase holding a stiff, cone-shaped bouquet, with its frill of 
goffered paper. The menu included various dainties from 
the land of Dickens, toasted English muffins, and 
crumpets, bath buns, buttered toast, tea cake and hot 
meat pies. 

BANQUETS AND "BITES." 

WHAT TO SERVE FOR REFRESHMENTS. 

The simple one or two course refreshment to be served 
after a card party, musicale, dance, or other evening 
gathering frequently presents a greater difficulty to the 
hostess than the menu for a formal luncheon or dinner. 
The fact that she is limited to one or two courses makes 
the principal dish harder to decide upon, and a palatable 
combination less easy to work out. The following sug- 
gestions, varied to suit both season and individual pocket- 
book, are offered in the hope that they may afford ideas 
to the hostess who finds an entertainment impending 
without having a bill of fare outlined : 



I. Tomato bouillon. Fried croutons. 2. Creamed 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 153 

chicken with peas in paper cases. Lettuce-mayonnaise 
sandwiches. Coffee. 3. Stuffed dates. 

The bouillon is clear beef soup flavored and colored 
with strained tomato juice. The croutons are tiny cubes 
of bread browned delicately in boiling olive oil. The 
creamed chicken is surrounded in the paper cases with 
green peas, which will be found daintily decorative. The 
stuffed dates are a simple but delicious sweet made by 
slitting the fruit, removing the pit, inserting a quarter of 
an English walnut meat, then carefully drawing together 
to conceal the opening. 

II. 

I. Sweetbreads and mushrooms in individual ramekins. 
Hot biscuits or buttered muffins. 2. Fruit salad, served in 
orange baskets. Sponge cake. Cocoa with whipped 
cream. 3. Salted almonds. 

Each little ramekin dish is presented on a small plate, 
luncheon size, with a doily between. Failing linen doilies, 
the cleanly little substitutes of lace paper can be employed. 



Ill 



I. Club sandwiches. Coffee. 2. Turkish delight. 

A well-made club sandwich forms an appetizing re- 
freshment, combining both cold meat and salad, which no 
guest will cavil at. Cold boiled tongue or ham, sliced 
thin, can be substituted for the bacon, for a change. 

Turkish delight, or fig paste, is a popular sweetmeat 
just now, and, contrary to the prevailing idea, is not diffi- 
cult to make at home. Following is the recipe : 



154 Booh of Parties and Pastiines 

Wash, soak and chop fine a pound of figs. Boil in hot 
water till very soft. Remove from the fire, drain, return 
the water to the fire and boil down until but half a pint 
of the liquid is left. Put the pulp through a sieve, strain 
and stir into the boiHng liquid. Add three pounds of 
granulated sugar ; simmer at the side of the range till you 
have a thick paste. Line broad shallow pans with paraffine 
paper and pour the paste into these. As it cools, cut into 
squares, and when it has cooled, sprinkle with pulverized 
sugar. A drop or so of vegetable colorings may be used 
to produce different tints. 



IV. 



I. Clam bouillon In cups, with whipped cream. Hot 
crackers. 2. Stuffed eggs. Rye-bread-and-butter sand- 
wiches. 3. Grapefruit and grapes, with sherry. Cake. 

The clam bouillon may be self-flavored, or it can be 
com.bined with oyster stock, following the recipe given 
in modern cook books. The rye-bread sandwiches are 
merely appetizing little oblongs cut from a rye loaf, but- 
tered and pressed together sandwichwise. For the salad, 
combine the pulp of grapefruit with Malaga or California 
grapes, the latter cut in half and seeded. Serve in tall 
glasses dressed with powdered sugar and sherry. Lady- 
fingers or sweet crackers make a nice accompaniment, 
but this addition is not necessary. 

y. 

I. Chicken gumbo with rice. Bread sticks. 2. Creamed 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 155 

dried beef in the chafing dish. Ginger ale. Hot rolls. 3. 
Pineapple water ice. Glace fruits. 

Serve the chicken soup in cups, each cup standing upon 
a luncheon plate, with doily under it. 

Recipes for glace fruits will be found in any complete 
cook book. 

IMPROMPTU. 

VI. 

I. Sardines (hot). Graham bread sandwiches. Cocoa. 

For an impromptu spread, the ubiquitous sardines can 
be offered hot instead of cold, which will be found an 
acceptable change. Pour the oil from the box into the 
frying pan, and when hot, lay the fish in it, browning 
them slightly. Place each portion separately on a slice 
of hot, dry toast. Squeeze a little lemon juice over them, 
add a dash of paprika, and, if you care for it, just a little 
grated Parmesan. Some entertainers grill the little fish 
on a broiler, browning each in the oil it has soaked up, 
while the same thing is also done in the chafing dish. 

The sandwiches passed with this can be merely bread 
and butter, or they can have a filling of cream cheese if 
this is at hand, lightened with stiffly beaten whipped 
cream. 

VIL 

I. Beef broth. Salted crackers. 2. Halibut or salm- 
on baked in individual casseroles. Muffins. Coffee. 
3. Raspberryade. Angel-food. Nut fudge. 

Fish makes a pleasant change in the refreshment menu 



156 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

from time to time, and is especially tasty when creamed 
and heated in individual casseroles. 



IMPROMPTU. 

VIII. 

I. Creamed eggs (chafing dish). Water crackers. 2. 
Asparagus salad. Whole-wheat fingers. Coffee. 

The impromptu refreshment cannot be accurately out- 
lined, as it will depend upon what the larder yields at the 
moment. Eggs, butter and milk are usually to be found 
in the house, and from these the chafing-dish dainty is 
easily evolved. The careful housekeeper, too, usually 
keeps on hand some tinned good thing, as asparagus, from 
which a quick salad is easily prepared. 



IX, 



I. Cold chicken. Cold tongue. Toasted Enghsh muffins. 
Currant jelly. 2. Frozen fruit. Maple layer cake. Win- 
tergreen and peppermint cream drops. 

This menu has old-fashioned elements, but is ''choicely 
good" nevertheless. Recipes for the maple layer cake are 
too easily accessible in cooking manuals to require inser- 
tion here. 

A SWEDISH LUNCHEON. 

For a Swedish luncheon, decorate the rooms with red, 
blue and yellow flags, and trim the chandelier with ribbon 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 157 

and flowers. Everything is placed on the table at once 
for a Swedish luncheon, and guests are expected to help 
themselves in informal fashion. There may be roast 
goose, salted fish, various kinds of breads and cheese, 
cakes and coflFee. 

JEULEKAGE. 

This is a time-honored holiday cake among all Scan- 
dinavians, and will appear at most of their functions. 
Melt three ounces of butter, keeping back the salt. Stir 
well with two tablespoonfuls of sugar, add three whole 
eggs. Add to a pint of milk one tablespoonful yeast dis- 
solved in a little of the milk, a pound and a half of flour, 
a half pound of seeded raisins, a little ground cardamom 
seed (about eight of the seeds), and citron to taste. Stir 
with a wooden spoon until too thick to stir, then knead it 
until it does not stick to the dish. Put in a warm place to 
rise. When light make in the shape of a round loaf of 
bread, sprinkle with sugar, let it rise again, then bake 
about an hour in a hot oven. 

FATTIGMANDS-BAKKELSE. 

This is another approved Scandinavian cake, known 
often by its Danish name ''Kleiner.'' Knead one pound of 
flour on the pastry board with five eggs, then add one-half 
pound sugar, one teaspoonful cinnamon and a little grated 
rind of lemon. Next add two tablespoonfuls cream, or 
just enough to make the dough stick together without 
sticking to the rolling-pin. Both rolling-pin and board 
should be dusted with flour before beginning the rolling. 



158 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

Have ready two pounds beef suet, melted and strained, 
drop in the kleiner, and as soon as nice and brown on both 
sides — and it will take but a moment if the fat is at the 
right temperature — ^take out with a fork, and lay on a 
large sheet of brown paper to absorb any superfluous fat. 

ANOTHER GOOD RECIPE FOR KLEINER. 

Beat the yolks of six eggs and two whole eggs wnth 
one-quarter pound sugar, brown or white. Stir well, then 
add two tablespoonfuls cream, one ounce of butter, which 
has been freed from salt, and as much of a pound of flour 
as is needed to keep the dough from sticking to your 
hands. The less flour used the better the cakes will be. 
If difficult to roll out, a half cup of water may be added to 
the 4ough. Roll out thin as a knife blade, cut into dia- 
mond shapes and cut a cross in the center, then fry in 
boiling fat. This quantity will make about one hundred 
cakes. 

A STAG DINNER. 

In the center of the round table w^as placed a large cut- 
glass tobacco jar filled with loose tobacco. On top of this 
perched a bisque doll dressed like a ballet dancer, with 
spreading skirts. About the jar was a circle of small 
playing cards, and from these ran a row of the cards to 
each plate, forming a w^heel. Corncob pipes were stacked 
at opposite places on the table, and at each cover were 
tiny beer steins and little sample bottles of wines as sou- 
venirs. 

The menu w^as a most substantial one — ^bouillon, thick 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 159 

sirloin steak with French fried potatoes, string beans, a 
green salad with Camembert cheese and wafers, frozen 
fruit pudding and black coflfee. 



A DINNER FOR A GIRL'S EIGHTEENTH 

BIRTHDAY. 

Pale pink is the debutante's color, and pale pink let 
the birthday decorations be. Roses are the ideal flower, 
but if too expensive pink azaleas may be used; some in 
pots for the newel-post, tops of the low bookcases or win- 
dow seats, and some of the blossoms arranged to form a 
huge swastika for the center of the table, symbolizing the 
good fortune it is hoped will attend the young girl 
through a long and happy life. 

If you will take the design to any tinsmith he will make 
you a tin form that will hold water. Otherwise you can 
make a frame of wire or pasteboard, fill with damp moss, 
then fasten in the flowers with tiny hairpins. 

The florist will make one for you if you suggest the 
idea. 

From the centerpiece let sprays of smilax, or other 
greens, extend, star-fashion, toward the plates. Have 
pink rose shades for candles, and let bonbons and relishes 
carry out the same idea. Of course, there must be a 
birthday cake, with ornamental frosting and candles to 
count the years. These may be held in place by the little 
pink rosebud holders, or they may be imbedded in a 
marshmallow bonbon. The spongelike sweet receives and 
closes round the candle, giving a pretty effect of minia- 



160 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

ture white candlesticks, while the white thickness of the 
marshmallow adds decoration to the cake. The candles 
themselves should be pink. 

The menu for the dinner, when served in courses, 
might be grapefruit, with a maraschino cherry in the 
center of each half, or anchovy or caviare canapes for the 
first course. The relishes could be radishes cut to simulate 
roses, olives stuffed with pimentoes and pink mints. The 
fish course could be lobster or salmon timbales or scallops. 
The soup, tomato bisque. 

Follow with a crown roast of lamb, prettily decorated 
with cranberries and parsley, and serve with peas and 
potato balls, or roast capon with cranberries, sv/eet po- 
tatoes and corn fritters. Next comes a green salad with 
pink anchovy biscuit and a fancy cheese. Then ices in 
fiower shape, with fancy cakes of a pretty pink jelly with 
a rose imbedded in it. If the latter, serve with whipped 
cream. Last comes the coffee. When the finger bowls 
are brought in, have the w^ater scented with rose. For 
these you may have rose-leaves floating on the surface, 
or buy as many of the little Japanese magic flowers as 
you have bowls passed, and let the guests have the pleas- 
ure of seeing these open on the water. These are inexpen- 
sive — two or three cents per package of a half-dozen 
flowers that blossom while you wait. You can get them 
at any Japanese store, and to most people they are a great 
novelty. If the birthday gifts are presented at the table, 
a pretty idea is to have them all symbolic of the birth 
month, or suggesting good wishes. 

If there is to be a bit of jewelry, it should contain 
the birth-stone of the month. There are also various 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 161 

pretty good-luck charms in the shape of four-leaf clovers 
encased in crystal, with gold mountings, gold wishbones 
and horseshoes. Much cheaper are the pretty silver 
swastika spoons, pins and charms. 



DAINTY LUNCHEONS TO BE SERVED AFTER 

CARD GAMES. 

If bouillon is served it should be put in cups with 
saucers. Either saucers or small service plates are almost 
essential. Here are three menus that are timely and 
easy to prepare : 

Oyster Cocktail in Grapefruit. 

Creamed Chicken with Tiny Hot Rolls. 

Fruit Jelly with Whipped Cream. 

Coffee. 

Or 

Clam Bouillon with Whipped Cream. 

Pressed Chicken with Bread-and-butter Sandwiches. 

Orange Jelly in Orange Baskets. Wafers. 

Russian Tea. 

Or 

Bisque of Tomato with Warm Rolls. 

Oyster Patties, Olives and Salted Nuts. 

Fruit Ice Cream. 

Frothed Chocolate. 

FROTHED CHOCOLATE. 

To make frothed chocolate for ten or a dozen guests, 
beat two quarts milk in a double boiler, so that there will 
be no danger of its scorching. Cook in a saucepan, four 
squares chocolate, with four tablespoonfuls sugar, four 
tablespoonfuls hot water or milk, and a saltspoonful salt. 
When smooth and shiny add the hot milk gradually, stir- 



162 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

ring all the time. Then whip lightly with an egg-beater 
and flavor with cinnamon, or a teaspoonful vanilla, or a 
little of each: Have ready a pint of whipped cream, put 
a tablespoonful in the bottom of each cup, pour the hot 
chocolate over it and serve very hot. 

FRUIT ICE CREAM. 

To make two quarts you will need six cupfuls of milk, 
two cupfuls of cream, two large yellow eggs, four full 
tablespoonfuls of flour, two cupfuls of sugar, two level 
tablespoonfuls of gelatine (if you wish to mold it), one 
pound of English walnuts, in the shell, and a half-pound 
of figs. 

Soak the gelatine in a little of the cold milk, saving 
five teaspoonfuls more to mix with the sugar, flour and 
egg. Heat the rest of the milk to near the boiling point, 
then stir in gradually the flour, sugar, etc., dissolved in 
the cold milk and soaked gelatine, and stir until it is dis- 
solved. Put in a tablespoonful of vanilla and the cream. 
Chill, then freeze. After freezing, and before packing, 
add the chopped figs and nuts, and beat well with a 
wooden spoon. Pack. If in emptying from the mold 
it sticks, wrap a towel wrung out of boiling water around 
it for a moment, to loosen. Then if it looks creamy on 
the outside, set on the ice a moment longer to harden, 

OYSTER PATTIES. 

Put four dozen oysters into a saucepan with their 
liquor. Let them just come to a scald, then take up and 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 163 

keep hot while you prepare the sauce. For this put four 
tablespoonfuls butter in a saucepan with two tablespoon- 
fuls flour. When melted add a little mace, cayenne and 
salt to season, with six tablespoonfuls cream. Cook until 
thickened, then pour in the strained liquor from the oys- 
ters, boil a moment or two, add the oysters, and cook a 
minute longer. Have ready some patty shells that have 
been reheated, fill with the oysters and liquor, re-cover 
and serve. The patty shells are made by lining small 
patty pans with thin pufif paste, filling with rice to keep 
them in shape, covering the top with more paste and 
baking in a brisk oven. When ready to fill, empty out the 
rice. 

OYSTER COCKTAIL IN GRAPEFRUIT. 

Cut the fruit in halves, removing seeds and core with 
connecting membrane. Use a pointed pair of scissors to 
cut out core and membrane. Loosen the pulp all around 
with a silver fruit knife, and then put into the center of 
each half fruit five tiny Blue Point oysters that have been 
chilled. Cover with a dressing made as follows : 

For a dozen plates, mix together six tablespoonfuls 
each vinegar, grated horseradish and tomato catsup ; add 
twelve teaspoonfuls lemon juice and a half teaspoonful 
tabasco sauce, mix well, chill and pour over the oysters. 



DAINTY REFRESHMENTS FOR AN *^AT HOME/' 

Specially dainty and artistically arranged were the re- 
freshments served recently at a fashionable but *'homey'' 



164 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

"At Home." It was in one of the new apartment houses, 
but the dining-room being at the far end of the long hall, 
refreshments were served in the little library oflf the 
drawing-room. The library table, protected top and 
lower shelf with renaissance scarfs and twined with 
smilax about the rim and down the legs, held in its center 
the big cut-glass bowl of pundi. This had a smaller 
wreath of smilax about its base, but the rim was encircled 
with small clusters of white grapes arranged to hang 
carelessly half outside and half in the bowl. A vase of 
American Beauty roses, plates of nut-and-mayonnaise and 
cheese-and-mayonnaise sandwiches, a loaf of home-made 
chocolate cake on a silver plate, low glass dishes of bon- 
bons, each in its fluted paper case, and other plates of 
delicate chocolate and nut wafers, occupied the top of the 
table. The under shelf held the reserve of plates, punch 
glasses and napkins. The wheeled tea table on the other 
side of the room was also wreathed with smilax, handle, 
wheels and all. On this was the coffee service and plates 
of salted English walnuts and olives. 

POMELO PUNCH. 

The punch, which was especially delicious, was made 
after this formula : To one quart orange juice and pulp 
add the juice of a half dozen lemons and the juice and 
pulp of a half dozen grapefruit. Add to this one grated 
fresh pineapple, and pour over the whole a hot syrup 
made by boiHng together two pounds sugar and three 
quarts water until of the consistency of honey. Let stand 
three hours, then pour into the punch bowl with a half 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 165 

gallon ice water and shaved ice, a pint maraschino 
cherries and a pint seeded and sliced Malaga grapes. 

NUT KISSES. 

Nut kisses, especially popular for afternoon teas, are 
made as follows : Put through a meat chopper one-half 
cup pecans, a dozen English walnuts and two dozen 
blanched almonds. Beat the whites of six eggs to a stiff 
broth, using a wire whip and not the Dover beater for this 
purpose, then fold in gradually three-quarters of a pound 
of powdered sugar and the nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls 
on a waxed paper laid in a dripping pan, and bake in a 
moderate oven. 



A CHOCOLATE DRINKING. 

A Chocolate Drinking is distinctly a woman's func- 
tion, frequently taking the place of afternoon tea. The 
refreshments all have chocolate in some form. There is 
hot chocolate with whipped cream to drink, chocolate ice 
cream, chocolate cakes with white frosting, or white cakes 
with chocolate frosting, and chocolate bonbons. As choc- 
olate is apt to become cloying when no other flavor is 
employed, the sandwiches are preferably of plain bread 
and butter, while olives, stuffed or plain, and salted nuts 
fit in well with the chocolate scheme. 



VIENNA CHOCOLATE, 



Put into a double boiler, one or one and a half scant 
quarts milk, and heat nearly to the boiling point. Cut four 



166 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

ounces chocolate in fine bits and put into a small granite- 
ware or iron saucepan with a level saltspoonful salt, two 
tablespoonfuls sugar and two tablespoonfuls hot water. 
Cook until smooth and shiny, and do not be afraid of 
cooking too long. Now whisk into the hot milk, beating 
lightly with a Dover egg-beater. Flavor with vanilla or 
cinnamon and serve at once, putting a tablespoonful 
whipped cream into each cup and filling up with the choc- 
olate. Cooking the chocolate in this way prevents it from 
settling in the cups, and does away with the greasy taste 
that many object to. 

CHOCOLATE COOKIES. 

Beat to a cream a half cup butter measured generously. 
Add gradually, beating thoroughly, one cup sugar, a tea- 
spoonful cinnamon, saltspoonful salt, and two ounces of 
chocolate melted. Add one well-beaten tgg and a half 
teaspoonful soda dissolved in two teaspoonfuls milk, with 
flour to enable you to roll the dough thin. It will take 
about two and a half cups, but put in no more than ab- 
solutely necessary. Cut in circles and bake in a quick 
oven. As fast as baked take from the pan, rolling each 
cooky on the molding board to make its edges even and 
perfect. 

COCOA BISCUIT. 

Sift together one pint of flour that has once been sifted, 
three level teaspoonfuls baking powder, two level tea- 
spoonfuls sugar, a saltspoonful salt and four scant table- 
spoonfuls butter, then stir in enough milk to make a firm 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 167 

but not stiff dough. Toss out on a lightly floured board, 
roll out the desired thickness, cut into tiny circles (a 
canister top an inch in diameter is a good cutter), place 
close together in a pan and bake in a very hot oven ten 
or fifteen minutes. Serve hot. 

CHOCOLATE PETIT FOURS. 

Make a light, plain sponge cake, using two eggs, one 
cup of sugar, a cup and a quarter of flour, a gill of cold 
water, a tablespoonful lemon juice, a teaspoonful baking 
powder, and an ounce grated chocolate. Beat three min- 
utes, then pour the batter in two pans and bake in a mod- 
erate oven about twenty minutes. When done, lift one 
sheet from the pan and spread with a half glass of jelly, 
any kind preferred, then press the other sheet over it. 
When cold, cut into diamonds, squares or triangles, ice 
with a plain white icing or a chocolate glace, using a 
wooden toothpick to dip the pieces in the glace, after- 
wards removing the toothpick. 

DINNERS IN FOREIGN STYLE. 

A CLUB of young married people entertained each other 
alternate weeks with home dinners carried out in the 
style of different nations, and extremely pleasant and 
successful functions they were. 

One evening they had a Mexican party. The decora- 
tions of the room where the card-playing went on were in 
Mexican colors, red, white and green. Prizes and sou- 
venirs were quaint bits of Mexican pottery, miniature 



168 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

sombreros, belts and hatbands of cut leather, and the 
*'eagle'' pins for which the Mexicans are famous. The 
eatables at this party were ''hot" things highly peppered 
and spiced in Mexican style. Oyster cocktails headed 
the menu, served with crackers spread with melted cheese 
and cayenne pepper. Tamales, accompanied by frigoles, 
the brown Mexican beans cooked in butter, followed, 
after which came chocolate and small round cakes frosted 
with chocolate. The Mexican chocolate is sweet and rich, 
flavored with a combination of vanilla bean and cinnamon. 

On the German evening, long pipes were provided for 
the men to smoke in a little room set aside for this pur- 
pose. The decorations of smoking-room and parlors were 
the national colors, red, white and black ; the refreshments 
served were rye bread, frankfurters, sauerkraut, coflfee 
and coffee cake, and the prizes little German flags, minia- 
ture steins and the quaint silver-mounted corks represent- 
ing King Gambrinus and the cask. The cards used were 
also German. 

The Chinese evening was especially characteristic. The 
yellow flag, on which the Chinese dragon disported him- 
self, fluttered amid a multiplicity of Chinese lanterns. The 
edibles consisted of chop suey composed of chicken, 
m.ushrooms and rice ; rice cooked so that each kernel was 
perfect, and served with scall, a Chinese sauce like our 
Worcestershire; lychee nuts, with their sweet and per- 
vasive odor, much like sandalwood; kumquat and ginger 
preserves, and dragon's-beard tea ad libitum. The latter 
was poured by a young lady in Chinese costume, who 
served the beverage to players on demand, in dainty 
Chinese cups, from a dragon-decorated tea-pot. Chop- 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 169 

sticks, coins, little dragons in pottery and paper, and 
Chinese water plants in flower were served as souvenirs. 

At the Russian party the samovar was, of course, in 
evidence, while various Russian delicacies, including cav- 
iare and ''Bliny" cakes, were served to the guests. Favors 
here consisted of the pretty Russian wooden bowls, em- 
broideries and pins. 

The Japanese evening was especially easy to prepare, 
because of familiarity with costumes and manners. The 
decorations were chrysanthemums, alternating with the 
national colors. The waiters wore the ''Geisha," and 
selections from "The Geisha" were rendered during the 
evening. Japanese curios in lacquer, bronze and teak- 
wood furnished the favors. 

The Turkish, Roumanian, Persian, Irish, Scotch and 
American evenings were all observed in characteristic 
style. 

Needed information was obtained by consulting books 
of travel relating to the special country under considera- 
tion, or interviewing returned travelers. 

SUPPERS IN CHAFING DISH. 

If either of the following menus should be selected 
for an after-theater lunch, the cost of all for four persons 
will not exceed two dollars : 

No. I. 

Creamed Tongue. 

Sweet Potato Saute. 

Bread-and-butter Sandwiches. 

Cream Cheese. Bar-le-duc. 

Wafers. 

Vienna Chocolate. 



170 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

No. 2. 

Oyster Rarebit. 

Celery Hearts and Lettuce with French Dressing. 

Macaroon Custard. Fig Cake. 

CREAMED TONGUE (CALVES') . 

This IS a new dish, and while tasting much like sweet- 
breads, is even more delicate. The tongue used is calves', 
and it may be prepared the day before using. Boil in 
salted water until tender, then cool in the water in which 
it was cooked. Peel and trim off all the rough pieces 
about the root, then slice in small pieces. When ready to 
cream in the chafing dish, put into the blazer two table- 
spoonfuls butter and three level tablespoonfuls flour. 
When bubbly and blended, add a cup and a half milk or 
cream, half a teaspoonful salt, a dash of cayenne, a grat- 
ing of nutmeg and a tablespoonful minced parsley. Stir 
until smooth and creamy, add two cupfuls of the sliced 
tongue, stir until heated thoroughly, then take up on a hot 
dish and set over the hot-water pan while you prepare 
the potatoes. 

SWEET POTATO SAUTE. 

Have one pint sweet potatoes cut in slices. Put into 
the blazer two tablespoonfuls butter, and as soon as hot 
lay in the potatoes. Sprinkle two tablespoonfuls of 
sugar over the top of the potatoes, and on top of the sugar 
pour lightly two tablespoonfuls vinegar. Cook until 
brown. This twice cooking of the potatoes makes them 
delightfully rich, yet digestible. Serve on hot plates with 
the creamed tongue. 



Book of Parties and Pastiines 171 



VIENNA CHOCOLATE. 

While the first course and the bar-le-duc and cream 
cheese are being eaten the Vienna chocolate may be pre- 
pared ready to close the repast. Heat a quart of milk 
to the boiling point. Put into the blazer four ounces 
chocolate, cut in small bits, two tablespoonfuls sugar, and 
three tablespoonfuls hot water. Cook over the flame 
until smooth and shiny. Add the hot milk and a half 
teaspoonful vanilla, with a little cinnamon, if you like the 
combination, then whisk with a muddler or egg-beater. 
Put into each cup a spoonful whipped cream and pour 
the hot chocolate over it. 

OYSTER RAREBIT. 

Put into the chafing dish one-half pint of oysters, with 
their own liquor, and cook a moment or two until their 
edges begin to cockle. Turn into a hot bowl. Put into 
the blazer one tablespoonful of butter, half a pound of 
cheese, finely crumbled or grated, and one saltspoonful 
each of salt, paprika and mustard. Beat two eggs lightly, 
add the oyster liquor, which has been strained, and when 
the cheese is melted pour in gradually, stirring all the 
time. Add the oysters, and as soon as hot turn over hot 
toast or crisped crackers. 

MACAROON CUSTARD. 

Have in readiness nine or ten macaroons that have been 
soaked in a quarter cup of sherry. Add to the soaked 



172 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

macaroons the yolks of two eggs, beaten lightly, a cup 
and a half of milk, two tablespoonfuls sugar, and one 
tablespoonful each macaroon and bread crumbs. Butter 
the blazer slightly, turn in the custard, set over the hot- 
water pan, cover and cook from twenty to thirty minutes. 
When about half done, whip the whites of the two eggs 
stiff, with two tablespoonfuls sugar and two teaspoonfuls 
lemon juice, and pile lightly on top of the custard. Re- 
cover and finish the cooking. 



NOVEL WAYS TO SERVE REFRESHMENTS. 

A Cobweb Supper proved great fun in the hands of a 
party of lively young people. Guests were ushered into 
the dining-room a half hour earlier than usual, only to 
find the pretty flower-trimmed table wholly bare of edi- 
bles. From it, however, radiated a number of colored y 
ribbons in narrow width, which led away in all directions, 
as in the familiar spider game. Some ribbons led around 
to other rooms, some to the hall, stairs, etc. Each guest 
took one ribbon, detaching it from the table and follow- 
ing it with the hope of finding some contribution to the 
feast. One player discovered an ice cream freezer loaded 
with cold deliciousness, another a dish of chicken salad, 
another a basket filled with sandwiches, and so on, com- 
pleting a menu. No part of any dish could be enjoyed, 
by the rule of the frolic, until the last dainty had been 
located, and those who had been early fortunate added to 
the hilarity of the occasion by jibes and goading ad- 
dressed to slower cobwebbers. When the last viand had 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 173 

been ferreted out, the company gathered around the table 
with well-stimulated appetites. The ribbons used in this 
search are twisted, interwoven and tied into knots as in 
the cobweb game. 

For a juvenile party on a rather large scale the supper 
plan tried was progressive refreshments. Where several 
rooms are at disposal this plan is not only novel, but 
makes a pretty showing. First in the progression came 
the Fruit Tree, which, contrary to all laws of botany, bore 
all kinds of fruits, apples, oranges, bananas and grapes 
at once. The guest made use of a tiny pair of scissors to 
clip the piece which appealed most strongly to him, and 
passed on. A little further the youngster encountered the 
Candy Mine. This was on the order of the Klondike 
game, where presents are dug out of a big box of sand 
with a toy spade. Instead of presents, in this case, cara- 
mels wrapped in gilt and silver paper, to represent nug- 
gets, were buried in the sand. Each child had three digs, 
and was entitled to any sweets brought up amid the sand 
on the sliovel. If the first three digs brought nothing 
he was allowed to try again. 

A little further on was the Sandwich Vine. This 
creeper was a member of the wistaria family, obtained 
among the crepe paper goods in a store. Sandwiches 
of several different kinds, done up in tissue-paper nap- 
kins, hung from the vine, and a grown person was in at- 
tendance to clip them as required. The fillings of the 
sandwiches were determinable by the color of their 
coverings. 

Liquid refreshments were furnished by a Lemonade 
Well — a large tin bucket surrounded by a mound of rocks 



174 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

and ferns. Paper drinking cups, renewed for each guest, 
were found in readiness at this unusual well-spring. 

At a country supper, where very little in the way of 
preparation or expenditure was possible, a paper bag 
refreshment was enjoyed both gustatorily and in the way 
of mirth. A number of strong paper bags of varying 
sizes, striped or otherwise colored, or plain, were secured, 
and into each was packed a cold refreshment. Each 
bag contained about the same quantity, but the varieties 
differed in every case. 

Thus, in one bag the sandwiches were of tongue, in 
another ham, in another chicken ; in one bag the fruit was 
an apple, in another an orange or a banana; in one was 
a slice of sponge cake, in another gingerbread, another 
cookies, and so forth. While the games were being 
brought to a conclusion in one room, a cord was stretched 
across the adjacent square hall, and to this the bags, se- 
curely fastened at the top, were tied with ribbon. 
''Supper/' announced the hostess, ushering her guests into 
the hall. Here each player was blindfolded in turn, given 
a pair of scissors and sent to clip down a bag. When all 
had clipped, the good things in the bags were enjoyed by 
the clippers. 

For an adult entertainment of any kind, peddler re- 
freshments are great fun. They require less time to get 
up than the set table which frequently concludes the eve- 
ning gathering. Four persons costumed as street ped- 
dlers enter the room unannounced, and each furnishes a 
portion of some edible at the request of any guest. Thus 
the hokey-pokey man or woman, from a small stand, fills 
little cones of sw^eet pastry with ice cream, coming pre- 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 175 

pared with several cones for each person. Fruit is vended 
from a bona-fide push-cart hired for the occasion. A 
woman costumed as an ItaHan could dispense (shelled) 
peanuts or chestnuts in paper bags, and a male cook in 
white cap and apron offers sandwiches with various fill- 
ings from a tray strapped from his shoulders. A noisy 
vender of lemonade behind a small table would help out 
the illusion. 

Another party-giver living in an apartment, with whom 
hot refreshments or a table large enough to seat the com- 
pany were impossible, served what she called a kid-glove 
supper, which is one excellent way out of such a difficulty. 
Each guest, when the psychological hour for it arrived, 
was given a small new pasteboard box tied with narrow 
ribbon. On the lids were sketches of kid gloves with the 
legend, "Fingers were made before forks," surrounding 
them. Removing the lid, guests found folded paper nap- 
kins below which were carefully tucked in various edibles 
which could be neatly lifted with the fingers unaided by 
fork or spoon. There were sandwiches of very small 
size, easily manipulated, with soft filling; bananas with 
part of the skin rolled back ready to be taken hold of; 
cakes which would not soil the most delicate gloves ; bon- 
bons, shelled peanuts done up in colored paper, olives and 
tiny pickles impaled on toothpicks. 



A SCOTCH TEA. 

At a Scotch tea the decorations were of pine and holly, 
while white heather and primroses were made into bou- 



176 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

tonnieres for each of the guests. In the dining-room 
was a big placard artistically scrawled in black and white, 
''We'll take a cup o' kindness here." This was conspic- 
uously framed in pine. 

At the tea table a dear old Scotch lady dispensed tea 
from a silver tea-pot nestling in a cozy, while the wait- 
resses were young girls in Scottish costume. The tea serv- 
vice was in the quaint Scotch ware, with such inscriptions 
as ''Straight frae the coo," ''Help yoursel' to the sugar," 
"There's mair in the kitchen," and the like. Little par- 
ritch bowls and jugs of the same brown ware were given 
each guest as souvenirs. A Scottish piper in costume 
added to the enjoyment of the occasion. 

As shortbread is one of the special Scotch delicacies, 
directions for its making follow : 

SCOTCH SHORTBREAD. 

Put a scant two pounds butter in a basin, warm by 
setting the saucepan in hot water, then beat to a cream 
with a wooden spoon. Add slowly, twenty ounces sifted, 
crushed loaf sugar, stirring well to obtain a white appear- 
ance. Add a little lemon peel cut fine, a spoonful or two 
of milk, and stir in flour to make a short paste, taking 
care not to have it too stiff. Divide into pieces (this quan- 
tity will make about sixteen) and work out each piece 
with the hand into flat, round cakes about a quarter inch 
in thickness and as nearly as possible the same size. Pinch 
the edges all around with the finger and thumb; cut a 
small round out of the center, sprinkle a few caraway 
comfits on top, and bake on flat tins, covered with paper, 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 177 

from three-quarters of an hour to an hour. They should 
be a pale golden color when done. The pieces will need 
to be parted again with a knife, as they join in the baking. 
Some cooks dredge them with sugar before baking, and 
in about twenty minutes dredge again, then finish the 
baking. 

SCOTCH GINGERBREAD. 

Sift into a basin a pound and a quarter of flour. Add 
a half teaspoonful salt, one teaspoonful each allspice and 
cloves, two teaspoonfuls ginger, half a grated nutmeg, 
quarter of a pound seeded raisins, four ounces almonds 
blanched and chopped, and one teaspoonful baking soda. 
Melt together in a pan half a pound butter and the 
same amount brown sugar, add two cups molasses and a 
cup and a half milk, scald and cool. Then add to the dry 
ingredients three well-beaten eggs. Mix thoroughly 
and pour into well-greased, paper-lined tins and bake in 
a very moderate oven for an hour and a half. 

SCOTCH CAKES. 

The ingredients called for here are one pound each 
butter and sugar, one and one-eighth pounds flour, one 
level dessertspoonful caraway seed, one tablespoonful ice 
water and candied caraway seed to sprinkle on top of the 
cakes. Have the butter, the mixing bowl and hands as 
cold as possible. Cut the butter in small pieces and work 
into the flour quickly and thoroughly. Add sugar and 
mix lightly. Sprinkle in the caraway seed, mix through, 
then add one tablespoonful ice water. Make the dough 



178 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

into a ball, flour the molding board, lay the dough on it 
and roll out quickly. Beat level with the rolling-pin. 
Fold the ends over and beat again. Do this three times, 
the last time rolling out in shape to fit the pan in which it 
is to be baked ; preferably this should be a shallow sheet- 
iron pan. Line with paper. Put the dough in to about 
three-quarters of an inch in thickness, spread smooth with 
a knife and bake twenty minutes in a steady oven. When 
done it should be an even light brown on top and a darker 
brown on the bottom. If it shows signs of browning too 
quickly protect with paper. Cut in squares when first 
taken from the oven, and when cold pack in tin boxes. 



AFTER-THEATER "BITES." 

Something hot and something "tasty/' 
Something wholesome, something hasty. 

The oyster is always a trump card for these revels. It 
may be served in the familiar stew, may be creamed witk 
celery, fricasseed or served a la Chamberlain. 

OYSTER SANDWICHES. 

Cook small oysters in a little butter until their edges 
curl, then stir into a stiif mayonnaise which has a bit of 
finely chopped red pepper mixed with it. Spread between 
thin slices of buttered bread. 

CREAMED OYSTERS WITH CELERY. 

Put three tablespoonfuls of butter into a saucepan, and 
as soon as it is hot add one cup of celery, cut in small 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 179 

pieces. Simmer for fifteen minutes, then add a half cup 
of oyster liquor, half a cup of cracker crumbs, half a cup 
of cream, and salt and paprika to taste. Let this just 
come to a boil, then pour in a pint of oysters. Leave 
them long enough for the edges to curl, then serve on 
toast or saltines. 

OYSTERS A LA CHAMBERLAIN. 

Drain two dozen good, plump oysters free from liquor 
and put in the chafing dish or stewpan. As soon as they 
come to a scald and begin to curl, add half a cup of 
cream, two tablespoonfuls of butter, half a teaspoonful of 
salt and a dash of paprika or cayenne. Take from the 
fire, add a tablespoonful of sherry or Madeira and serve 
with wafers. 

MUSHROOM SANDWICHES. 

Cut mushrooms in small pieces and simmer in butter 
until tender, remembering that overcooking toughens. 
Season with salt and paprika and add enough cream to 
make a good consistency for spreading. Allow it to just 
boil up, add a little lemon juice and a grating of nutmeg, 
and spread on toast. 



AFTER-THEATER CHAFING DISH SUPPERS. 

Supper in a restaurant is slow and stupid compared to 
the chafing dish spread at home, and the woman who can 
successfully prepare and serve a little "snack'' of this sort 



180 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

is seldom lacking in opportunities for the exercise of her 
gift. 

While the midnight feast is apparently unpremeditated, 
it is the wise woman who looks ahead and sees that her 
base of supplies is adequate to any emergency. 

Besides the dishes to be cooked in the chafing dish, there 
should always be olives — preferably the ripe ones — salted 
nuts, crackers, and some simple, easily served sweetmeat. 
The accompanying beverage, what you will, as long as 
the combination suits. 

Here are two menus : 

No. I. 

"Slip On." 

Coffee or Ale. 

No. 2. 

Oysters with Mushrooms. 

Thin Bread and Butter. 

Cream Chocolate. Wafers. 



""slip on.''^ 

This good old English dish, which has been a feature in 
many old New York chop houses, is nothing more nor 
less than hot mince pie with melted English cheese poured 
over it. Where you serve "slip on" it should appear in 
solitary grandeur, wath neither prelude, nor yet postlude, 
save fragrant coflfee made at the table or an accompany- 
ing glass of ale. Like the favorite beefsteak supper it 
admits of no variety, being quite sufficient unto itself. 
The cheese, it is claimed, acts as digester, and is to be 
commended. The mince pie may be a sizable one, cut after 
heating, into segments, or, still better, individual ones 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 181 

served in patty shells. These may be reheated in the oven 
or over the hot-water pan, while the cheese may be simply 
melted in the blazer, or preferably made into a rarebit. 
For the latter, have grated a pound of good old English 
cheese. Rub the bottom of the chafing dish blazer with 
butter, put in the cheese with a tablespoonful tomato 
catsup, spoonful salt and dash of cayenne, stir a moment 
until it begins to melt, then add, a little at a time, about 
four tablespoonfuls ale or beer. As soon as soft and 
creamy spread over the pie and serve. 

OYSTERS WITH MUSHROOMS. 

Put into the blazer three level tablespoonfuls butter. 
Add six level tablespoonfuls flour, a teaspoonful salt and 
a half saltspoonful red pepper. Plump the oysters in 
their own liquor, drain, let the broth come to a scald with 
the mushroom liquor from a half can, and enough water 
to make a pint in all. Skim well, stir in with the butter 
and flour to make a smooth, white sauce, add the oysters 
and mushrooms, cook two or three minutes and serve hot. 
Twenty-five oysters are required for this amount of 
cream sauce. 

CREAM CHOCOLATE. 

• Have ready grated two squares unsweetened chocolate, 
two whole eggs, whites and yolks beaten separately, one 
half cup cream, and one-quarter cup milk, four rounded 
tablespoonfuls granulated sugar, a saltspoonful salt and 
vanilla or cinnamon to season. Cook the sugar, chocolate 
and four tablespoonfuls hot water together in the blazer 



182 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

without the hot-water pan until it becomes a smooth, 
shiny paste. Let it boil hard, but watch carefidly that 
it does not scorch. Add the cream minus one tablespoon- 
ful, which should be added to the egg-yolks to prevent 
their curdling, and a quarter cup milk, and stir until it 
boils. Now set over the hot-water pan, and add the eggs 
very carefully, stirring fast all the time. After it thickens, 
which will be in a moment, fold the whites, in lightly and 
gently. Then cover and leave over the hot-water pan ten 
minutes longer, until light and spongy. Sprinkle 
powdered sugar over the top and serve with whipped 
cream. 

ENTERTAINING ONE'S PASTOR. 

A CLEVER hostess discovered a very amusing little idea 
for the ices in entertaining her pastor and a visiting 
church dignitary at a formal dinner. She had the cream 
molded by a confectioner into little human figures, for 
which almost any catering establishment has the shapes. 
Just before the moment to serve, these molds were 
turned out upon individual plates, and in the hands of 
each little manikin was stuck a wee fishing-rod made of 
broom straw and thread. A clerical-looking hat made 
of tissue paper was adjusted on each head at the same 
time. The cunning little figures created great interest 
and also curiosity until some one quoted ''Fishers of 
Souls,'' when the idea became almost apparent. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 183 



A DEEP-SEA DINNER. 

Covers were twelve, and tables, appointments, every- 
thing, was suggestive of the bed of the ocean. In the 
center of the table was arranged a kind of rocky island 
formed of oyster shells, on which reclined a flaxen-haired 
doll costumed to represent a mermaid, surveying her 
charms in a gilt-rimmed dolFs mirror. From the mer- 
maid rolled away waves of green tissue paper, the edges 
of which were fringed with starfish, sea-urchins and 
shells. 

Concealed in this paper were twelve little cardboard 
fish, on each of which was written a riddle to be answered 
by the name of the piscean represented. 

Attached to a hole in the head of each fish was a fine 
cord, which was in turn tied to a tiny rod placed at some 
cover. At the conclusion of the meal each guest drew 
up a fish and read aloud the riddle it propounded. 

The green wave effect of tissue paper was repeated at 
the corners of the table, where each circular wave was 
surmounted by a lace doily. On these were placed clam 
and oyster shells filled with the new candy which imitates 
pebbles. Place cards were of water color tinted green 
^nd decorated with pressed seaweed. 

The appetizing menu in which the oceanic colors — 
green and white — predominated, was as follows : 

White grapes and pineapple in green-glass sherbet 
cups; green pea soup with croutons; creamed fish in 
paper cases of green tissue paper with fringe of shells. 



184 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Broiled chicken, baked potatoes cut in halves and fitted 
out with little masts and sails, each sail having written 
upon it the name of some guest and the date. Cauliflower, 
cheese souffle in ramekins; thin slices of bread and butter, 
shrimp salad on shredded lettuce, water crackers, fruit 
and nut jelly molded to represent a fish, whipped cream, 
coffee and bonbons. 

If desired a puzzle menu can be prepared, using the 
dishes named here, to be written in gold ink upon one 
side of the place cards. 

By way of an example of the mysterious wording, the 
fruit mixture might masquerade as sea foam, piquant 
style. The pea soup becomes ocean waves with floating 
islands. The paper cases of creamed fish are mermaids' 
treasures, and so forth. 



AN ORIGINAL SQUARE MEAL. 

A YOUNG matron celebrated her husband's birthday by 
a little stag dinner to which eleven men friends were in- 
vited, the novel plan winning great applause from John 
and his guests. 

The affair was described as "a square meal,'' the invita- 
tions being written on square cards. The table used was 
one square in shape, with a polished top permitting of a 
square centerpiece and doilies to match. 

A square basket was used for the flowers, and the 
candlesticks had shades made in* the popular rectangular 
pattern. 

Little squarish-looking dishes, with turned-up edges, 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 185 

were borrowed from a neighbor to hold the hors-d'oeuvres, 
which consisted of nougat, in square shapes, radishes cut 
square, cubes of cheese, and tiny square water crackers. 

Place cards, also square in shape, were dainty blotters 
made at home and decorated with water-color sketches of 
pretty girls. The name of the guest was written on each 
in pencil. 

Plates unusually square in shape were obtained from 
among the stock of a local caterer and rented for the 
occasion. 

Square bowds or plates of soup being out of the ques- 
tion, the nicely flavored consomme was served in small 
bowls which fitted into tiny square boxes, covered with 
a lid ; toast squares being passed at the same time. 

The creamed sweetbread entree was served in square 
paper cases, the bread-and-butter sandwiches that ac- 
companied it being in rectangular shape. 

The main course consisted of veal cutlets cut square 
and served on a square dish. The French fried potatoes 
w^ere likewise cubes, and creamed turnips also cut to an 
appropriate size in pieces of an appropriate shape. 

The salad, served in a square bowl, was composed of 
tiny dice of cold boiled vegetables. With it were passed 
square biscuit and cheese. 

Ice cream for dessert was served in individual dice- 
shaped molds, with squares of cake and squares of juicy 
watermelon. 

But daintiest of all, and most surprising, was the sub- 
stitute for square finger bowls (which could not be com- 
passed in the neighborhood) . Instead of these the inven- 
tive mind served small blocks of ice specially frozep fof 



186 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

the purpose, each having a Httle hollow at the top with 
water in which to cleanse the finger-tips. 



CLASS BABY LUNCHEON. 

Many high schools and private seminaries are now 
adopting the Vassar idea of a luncheon or dinner in honor 
of the arrival of a class baby — that is, the first little son or 
daughter born to any member of a graduated class. At a 
function of this kind recently given by one of the mem- 
bers of a class, most of whom had succumbed to Cupid's 
darts, the centerpiece was very novel and appropriate. It 
consisted of a wide flat tin filled with water and having 
the sides concealed by smilax. In the water floated white 
and pink water-lilies, in the heart of each of which was a 
tiny doll of the pink-colored floating variety, an inch and 
a half long. In the center of the bowl, on a large lily 
leaf, was placed a stork made of confectioner's icing. 
(Nasturtium leaves will serve instead of lily blossoms 
when the latter cannot be obtained.) 

Favors were little cradles cut from cardboard and 
gilded, filled with Jordan almonds. If any other idea is 
preferred for the favors these cradles could be used for 
the ice cream or the creamed entree. 



WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES. 

While the wedding anniversaries — the earlier ones, at 
least — are no longer regarded very seriously, they grow 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 187 

in popularity every year as occasions for informal enter- 
tainments, or for card parties, guest dinners and teas for 
which the slipping by of another half-decade offers a 
date and a plan. 

Gifts are not now the custom, although trifles in glass 
and silver are not out of place for those celebrating a 
fifteenth or a twenty-fifth commemoration of their wed- 
ding-day. For the earlier festivities absurdities in wood 
or tin costing a few pennies and conveying some joke or 
timely allusion are sometimes brought by the guests — 
nothing more costly. 



FIRST YEAR — THE PAPER WEDDING. 

Paper and cardboard novelties are so numerous and so 
attractive of late that tricking out the house for the paper- 
wedding frolic should be a delightful undertaking. Fes- 
toon the walls and ceiling with the pretty tissue-paper 
''garlands'' which come for the purpose, or cut crepe 
paper in long strips to simulate ribbons and use it in the 
same way. Through the interlacing festoons drop paper 
lanterns in shades which match or combine well with 
those of the garlands or ''ribbon." 

Electric lights or gas-jets are covered with paper 
shades made in the shape of huge flowers. Patterns are 
sold for making these at home. Bank the mantelpiece 
with tissue-paper flowers, using those appropriate to the 
season, as daffodils for an April wedding and roses for 
June. Get a yard or two of the crepe paper, which comes 
with naturalistic design of butterflies. Cut out the bril- 



188 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

liant moths, and suspend them with fine cotton on invisi- 
ble wires to hover just above the flower-bed. 

At the far end of the room have a pretty Japanese 
paper parasol suspended from the ceiling by the cut paper 
wreaths. To the tips of the ribs are attached the german 
favors, which when snapped yield paper head-dresses for 
the guests. Each member of the party on arrival clips a 
favor. The paper hat or bonnet found in it is worn 
throughout the evening. Host and hostess wear similar 
head-dresses. 

Cards being a paper product, a progressive game of 
euchre, whist or casino is a popular suggestion for the 
entertainment programme. Or a salmagundi with a dif- 
ferent card game, such as logomachy, or word-building, 
authors, snap, pinochle, could be arranged with paper 
prizes. 

Where cards are not desired, a series of original games 
requiring the use of paper are equally apropos. 

One contest of this kind, v/hich proved great fun at a 
paper wedding not long ago, was arranged by passing 
around slips having written on them the names of certain 
animals and birds. Each player took a slip without see- 
ing what was written on it. Sheets of paper with scissors 
were then passed, and every one cut out a likeness of the 
beastie fallen to Iris lot. The shapes were then pasted on 
a sheet of black cardboard and some one appointed to act 
as judge said which was best. 

Again, distribute telegraph-blanks having a word of 
seven or eight letters written at the top, and see who can, 
in half an hour, write a telegram of congratulations to the 
former bride and groom. Each word of the message must 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 189 

begin with one letter of the word given, the letters to be 
taken in their regular order. 

The refreshment table can be made very dainty with 
paper flowers, paper doilies or a paper cloth, paper candle- 
shades, etc., and fancy paper baskets to hold the bonbons, 
salted nuts, etc. The plates should be pasteboard pastry- 
shells obtained from a confectioner. The ice cream can 
be molded in the shape of cards with white ground, hav- 
ing the name of the bride and groom with the two dates 
in letters of contrasting color. Hostesses who cannot 
obtain this novelty can make pretty paper ice-cups in the 
shape of flow^ers. 

A paper wedding is particularly charming when cele- 
brated out of doors. Oriental lanterns, streamers and 
garlands of colored paper sw^ung from tree to tree, paper 
hats and parasols, showers of the pretty colored confetti, 
combine to make a fair3Mike scene. A cold buffet re- 
freshment is better for an outdoor celebration, the paper- 
trimmed table to be spread under the trees. 

Paper fans with the two dates in gilt lettering make 
pretty and inexpensive souvenirs for the women. The 
men might be given blotters or book-marks. 

COTTON WEDDING. 

Invitations for a very successful cotton-wedding frolic 
were written on card shapes cut out to represent huge 
spools. Snow-drifts of cotton batting sifted with dia- 
mond-dust massed the mantelpiece, window seats and 
the piano-top in the parlor. The hostess wore a cotton 
gown, the host a cotton summer suit and cotton tie. 



190 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Vases filled with the natural cotton plant, and others con- 
taining calla lilies made of cotton batting, made unusual 
decorations. 

The amusements of the evening were very original. 
First on the programme came a contest resembling a cob- 
web party, but with a different idea. Cotton tape was 
wound in and out over and above the furniture like the 
cord or ribbon for a cobweb party, but instead of having 
all play at once, one player stepped forth at a time. He 
had three minutes by the watch in which to disentangle 
the tape, one end of which was handed to him. The piece 
disentangled by each player was cut off and handed to 
him when his time was up. Afterward all these pieces 
were measured, and the longest won a prize. This prize 
was a little snow man made of cotton batting and filled 
with candy. In another round guests were called on to 
say how many yards were contained in a bale of cotton 
goods which formed one of the cotton-wedding gifts. 
The best guess won a prize. 

Then a basket was produced, in which were a number 
of short lengths of cotton tape in different colors. In 
each bit a hard knot was tied. The player untying the 
most knots won a prize. 

THIRD YEAR — THE LEATHER WEDDING. 

Use leather postal-cards for the invitations. Where 
these cannot be obtained, the unworn ''capes" of leather 
gloves can be employed for the purpose. Cut from the 
better portions small squares, to be afterward stiffened 
with a cardboard foundation, and write or paint the little 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 191 

biddings on them, inclosing them in conventional en- 
velopes. Cut small round disks from the leather, and 
paste them to hold down the flap of the envelope like the 
old-fashioned wafer or seal. 

Any chairs which happen to be upholstered in leather 
should be corraled for the occasion. Leather cushions 
and table-covers are also specially appropriate if at hand. 

At a particularly pleasant and successful entertainment 
of the kind, one feature of the fun was a cake-walk, with 
leather prizes, in which all the company, young and old, 
participated together. 

A contest of a diflferent sort was introduced by rolling 
upon the scene a table having various kinds of leather 
goods displayed upon it. Each article had a card with a 
number attached. The group included four or five books 
with leather bindings, a pair of moccasins, several purses 
made from different skins, a pair of leather gloves, shoes, 
a Russia leather work-box and other items. Paper and 
pencils were distributed, and each guest was called on to 
write down the correct names of the different leathers on 
exhibition. The hostess had a correct list in her posses- 
sion, by which the competitive papers were examined. The 
player guessing the most skins correctly won as a prize a 
pretty centerpiece in burnt leather. 

For the festive board at a leather-anniversary supper, 
make candle-shades of buckskin fringed with the scissors 
around the edges or trimmed with wampum. Have the 
doilies to go under the candlesticks and hors-d'oeuvre 
dishes, cut from imitation (paper) leather. For sou- 
venirs have leather Indian dolls or tiny moccasins. 
Leather gloves, exchangeable at the shop, leather chate- 



192 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

laines or purses and leather belts are other suggestions 
for prizes and souvenirs of a more pretentious nature. 

Any one with some knowledge of pyrography can make 
dainty place-cards in burnt leather. 

FIFTH YEAR — THE WOODEN WEDDING. 

Guests are invited by means of thin slabs of wood about 
the size of invitation cards, with the invitations painted or 
pyrographed upon them. Or use squares of real or arti- 
ficial birch bark cut to fit envelopes, with the invitation 
written in scarlet ink. Some bark will lie flat in the 
form of cards ; otherwise it can be used in the form of a 
scroll, and rolled up and tied with narrow red ribbon. 

A wooden wedding can be made a delightful occasion 
in the open air, with rustic lawn furniture decorated with 
green garlands of leaves, refreshments served in the sum- 
mer-house, and wooden gifts or souvenirs tied amid the 
foliage of trees and bushes, for the guests to search for. 

When arranging the party indoors, have, if possible, 
rustic garden chairs for the parlor, and bank the walls 
with boughs. Dogwood is lovely for a spring celebration, 
and autumn leaves for one in the fall. 

Wood shavings, especially the long '*curls,'' cost noth- 
ing, and they make funny and effective decorations. Ten- 
cent wooden chopping-bowls should be filled with flowers 
and foliage, and used to decorate the rooms. 

A good plan for the entertainment is an informal din- 
ner followed by a dance, with wooden favors. For the 
dinner use a polished table with doilies only, and wooden 
candlesticks with birch-bark shades. Real or imitation 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 193" 

birch bark can be cut into circular shape and used Instead 
of the doiHes under the side-dishes and candlesticks. For 
place-cards have cardboard cut and tinted like single 
leaves of oak or maple. For a spring or summer func- 
tion they are green, in fall red or yellow, in winter brown. 
Or pyrograph small squares of wood ; or write the names 
of the guests expected on shavings of wood, and hang 
these across the edge of the tumblers, with names show- 
ing, to guide the guests to their seats. 

One of the large wooden sabots which make such effec- 
tive table decorations can be obtained from almost any 
novelty dealer. Fill this with tulips or other low-growing 
flower. Get the little boxes representing stumps of trees 
to hold the salted nuts and bonbons. Where these cannot 
be found, blocks of soft wood wuth the center drilled out 
will do just as well. Candles can be embedded in blocks 
of wood where wooden candlesticks are not get-at-able. 

Have the entire table service in wood as much as possi- 
ble. Plates should be wooden trenchers, such as our an- 
cestors ate from ere the introduction of pottery. Wooden 
spoons replace the silver article. Make log cabins by pil- 
ing up brown-bread sticks crosswise on plates, and flank 
the centerpiece with these. 

Hostesses who do not want to follow the dinner with a 
dance can get up a programme of good games and con- 
tests to take the place of the cotillion. 

For the first number have a guessing-game, in which 
the players distinguish between six or eight different 
kinds of wood, or try to do so, for it is more difficult than 
it sounds. The specimens are prepared in advance by a 
carpenter or cabinet-maker. Each block represents a dif- 



194 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

ferent tree and has a different number written on it. The 
entertainer should keep a Hst of the different woods, num- 
bered Hke the blocks. The guest who in half an hour 
names the most woods correctly receives a wooden book- 
rack, bureau box or photograph frame. 

TENTH YEAR — THE TIN WEDDING. 

Any tinsmith can prepare little oblongs of tin with 
beveled edges for the invitations. The lettering can be 
done either with oil-colors or with a sharp-pointed tool. 
Or a smooth sheet of tinfoil can be cut in shape to fit 
envelopes, and notes written on it in red ink. 

A country supper at long tables, with the entire service 
in tin, is a splendid plan for a tin-wedding function. For 
the centerpiece have a tin basin or low pail filled with 
seasonable flowers. Place this in a mound of shiny tinsel 
of the kind used for Christmas trees. Similar mounds 
are made around the base of candlesticks and elsewhere. 
Use tin candlesticks with tin shades and white or red 
candles. 

For hors-d'oeuvres dishes use scalloped patty-pans ; tiny 
tin bottle-lids or gem-pans for individual butter-plates. 
Tin mugs should replace the conventional cups and 
saucers, with coffee poured from a tin coffee-pot. Get 
shiny new tin plates to take the place of china ones. 

Wrap the sandwiches in tinfoil and heap them on a tin 
platter. Choose for bonbons, chocolates or other goodies 
wrapped in tinfoil. 

The good old game of ''Spin the Platter,'' which old 
and young can join in together, would be excellent for 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 195 

such a gathering if a tin plate is substituted for a wooden 
one. 

Another round is arranged by giving each player a card 
and pencil and allowing ten minutes in which to write 
down the longest list of words beginning with the syllable 
''tin''; as ''tintinnabulation/' "Latin," "matin," "satin," 
"tintype," "tinker," "tiny," "tint." The player who in 
ten minutes forms the longest list wins a prize. 

As souvenirs of the happy occasion the bride and groom 
can have tiny tin boxes to hold slices of the "tin-wedding 
cake." 

FIFTEENTH YEAR — THE CRYSTAL WEDDING. 



Any one familiar with the use of the diamond can cut 
the little squares of glass on which the invitations are 
painted. Passe-partout each square with white tape. 

Whist or euchre with glass prizes makes a pleasant 
if conventional entertainment, to be followed with a sup- 
per wholly in crystal. Green and white make an attrac- 
tive and crystalline color-scheme. 

A pretty centerpiece for the supper-table is a glass 
basket filled with white flowers and foliage. Chrysanthe- 
mums, tulips or hydrangeas are less funereal than roses in 
the way of a white flower. Instead of single candlesticks 
have the old-fashioned candelabra with glass prisms. 

Have dishes of cut or pressed glass for the sandwiches, 
cakes, bonbons or any other dainty that can be served on 
them. Cake should be iced in white, and white candies 
selected. 

Get cheap glass plates to replace the china ones, and 



196 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

have the ice cream in the form of white bombe, with a 
wreath of green candy leaves surrounding it. 

In the way of original games suitable for a crystal 
celebration a literary contest called '^Crystal Allusions'' 
might be arranged very easily. From twelve to fifteen 
questions relating to glass are written on cards, with 
blank spaces opposite for the answers, and players have 
half an hour to think out the answers. Examples of the 
riddles would be: 

Who was described as having been ''the glass of fashion 
and the mold of form" ? 

Who originated the phrase, 'Through a glass, darkly" ? 

What is the superstition about breaking a hand-glass? 

A guessing-game, but on a different order, varies the 
plan of the fun. A large glass bovv^l is filled (three- 
fourths full) with water, and the company guesses how 
many crystal marbles may be dropped in before the water 
overflows the bowl. 

THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 

A particularly pleasant and novel idea discovered for 
this date was an "I Remember" party. 

The guests were limited to older members of the family 
circle, with boyhood and girlhood friends of the bride and 
groom. The women wore costumes of the fashion which 
prevailed at the time of the wedding; the former bride 
appeared in her wedding-gown. 

Books popular twenty years before lay on the table, and 
photographs taken at the same period, ranged on the 
mantelpiece, caught the eye and invited retrospection. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 197 

Some old newspapers and periodicals of two decades back 
had been hunted up through a second-hand book-dealer, 
and created much fun. The refreshments were old- 
fashioned fruit syrups deliciously iced, cake made from 
old-time recipes, and molasses and popcorn candy. 

Host and hostess led the conversation from the outset 
into the pleasant paths of youthful recollection, and for 
three delightful hours all were boy and girl again. A 
programme of songs popular twenty years ago might also 
be given. 

TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR — THE SILVER WEDDING. 

A reception followed by a musicale is a well-liked plan. 
The hostess with small rooms and a large circle of friends 
may prefer an evening reception with buffet supper. 

A pretty idea for the invitations is to have cards en- 
graved with the lettering in silver, or cards with silver 
borders would be attractive. 

All silver bowls and vases available should be filled 
with flowers to trim the rooms. White flowers are fre- 
quently chosen, but red ones combine delightfully with 
the silver. 

The supper or dinner table must carry out the silver 
effect. A centerpiece and doilies of lace-edged silver 
paper are highly effective, and can be used with or with- 
out a linen cloth. 

There should be a bride's cake with a silver ring in it. 
The names of the celebrating pair, with "Silver Wed- 
ding'' and the date^ are iced in silver or worked out with 
silver leaves. 



198 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Silver candlesticks and filigree candle-shades, silver 
dishes for celery and olives, should be called into requisi- 
tion to help out the scheme. Any confectioner can supply 
the silver-coated bonbons. 



ENTERTAINING LITTLE FOLKS. 

AN ENVELOPE PARTY FOR CHILDREN. 

In planning parties for the very little people, simple 
searches, clipping contests and easy guessing-games will 
be found more successful than complicated contests with 
rules which must be mastered by the children before the 
fun can begin. 

By discovering a new idea to serve as connecting link 
between them, a programme composed of such well- 
known and popular favorites will take on an air of origi- 
nality entirely satisfying to the wee guests. 

Such a programme was that of an Envelope Party, 
which recently scored a huge success with the juveniles 
entertained thereat. 

Invitations, written on little cards, before being placed 
in the mailing envelopes, were inclosed in smaller ones of 
light blue or other pale tint. 

A FORTUNE HUNT. 

Fortunes in envelopes led off the sports of the evening. 
A special fortune for each child had been written by a 
knowing old witch and inclosed in an envelope. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 199 

On the envelope appeared the name of the child whose 
fortune it was, the envelope being tied with ribbon. The 
smaller envelopes were then inclosed in a mammoth 
envelope made of tissue paper. 

When all had arrived on the scene, the fortune witch 
appeared carrying the tissue-paper envelope, which she 
attached with colored ribbon to the chandelier. 

The witch gave each child a wee piece of baby ribbon, 
instructing him that the color contained in it was to be 
his during the evening. 

She then struck the tissue-paper case with a walking- 
stick. Down showered a rain of envelopes. 

The children scrambled for the envelopes, eagerly 
matching the ribbons and comparing them with their 
own. 

The witch assisted in reading the fortunes of those who 
were unable to read for themselves. 

ENVELOPE SEARCH. 

This was followed by a fascinating envelope search, the 
envelopes containing wee gifts. 

Inexpensive articles, which cost but five cents apiece, 
but which, obtained in this way, never fail of an enthusi- 
astic audience, should be selected for this feature. 

The search is conducted in every way like the nut- 
gathering game, except for the fact that the children stop 
searching when first trophies are discovered. No prize 
is, of course, needed. 



200 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

ENVELOPE CLIP. 

A novel guessing contest was preceded by a clipping 
game. A ribbon was stretched across the room from 
doorknob to doorknob and to this a number of envelopes 
were tied with ribbon. 

A prize in the shape of a sachet, shaped like an en- 
velope, w^as drawn for by all the children who succeeded 
in clipping. 

It was then discovered that these envelopes, like the 
preceding ones, each contained something. 

A gilt number distinguished each one. The witch then 
invited each child to guess by the scent attached to each 
envelope just v/hat it contained. 

The latter were passed from hand to hand, the witch 
writing down each player's guess as to the nature of the 
contents. 

The list of inclosures might include a morsel of com- 
mon yellow soap, a piece of candy flavored with winter- 
green, some cloves, a leaf of rose geranium, some balsam 
pine needles, et cetera. 

The child guessing most correctly won a bottle of 
delicate cologne. 

CUTTING ENVELOPES. 

Again, all the children being seated in a circle as for 
the preceding game, the hostess distributed squares of 
paper and several pairs of scissors. 

Each child then fashioned from the paper in hand a 
small envelope, using mucilage to paste down the flap. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 201 

The envelopes so formed were compared, and a prize 
awarded for the best. A cut-out paper set in an enve- 
lope rewarded the clever boy or girl. 



A DOLL RECEPTION. 

The birthday party of little Eleanor L — was a doll re- 
ception, and was greatly enjoyed by twelve small girls of 
the neighborhood Eleanor wrote the invitations herself, 
using Lilliputian note paper decorated with brownies and 
a form on the following order, suggested by her mother : 

Dearest Katherine : 

I hope you can be present at the doll reception I 
am going to give on next Thursday afternoon from 
three to half-past six. Please come, bringing your 
favorite doll, to meet my new doll daughter, Clarissa 
Marguerite. 

Yours very affectionately, 

Eleanor. 

As each little girl came carrying her doll the toys were 
collected by Eleanor's mamma and then hidden away in 
the sitting-room, which adjoined the parlor. Each doll 
was'placed in some little nook or recess by itself and care- 
fully concealed by a book, a newspaper, the fold of a cur- 
tain or table-cover. When all the small guests had ar- 
rived, the little girls were invited into the sitting-room 
and told to hunt for the missing dolls. 

A merry scramble, with suppressed shrieks and much 



202 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

ecstatic giggling, occupied the next ten or fifteen minutes. 
Each child had been instructed that if a doll not her own 
were discovered in the search, the fact must be kept 
secret and the hiding-place not revealed. The child first 
to find her own darling won as a prize a lovely little doll 
bonnet trimmed with artificial flowers. 

Hardly had the fun of this exciting search died away 
when another equally novel game w^as proposed. A splen- 
did new doll, beautifully dressed, was produced and 
placed on the table in full view. It was then announced 
that the child who could guess correctly the doll's name 
might have her. 

Should more than one child guess correctly, the reward 
would be drawn for. This offer was received with wild 
enthusiasm. Five minutes were allowed for ''thinking," 
after which each little girl went in turn into the library. 
Here sat Eleanor's aunt ready to write down the different 
names guessed, identified with the name of the competi- 
tors. It afterward proved that the name of the new doll 
had been christened Eleanor, in honor of the hostess. 
Proudly did the eight-year-old guest who divined cor- 
rectly carry off her resplendent trophy. 

Naturally, with so many and such delightful surprises 
revealing themselves at every turn, everybody wondered 
very much "what next?'' and the atmosphere became 
charged with delicious excitement. 

Presently Eleanor answered this question by producing 
several sheets of paper dolls, with three or four pairs of 
scissors, and each child had three minutes in which to 
cut out a single figure. Neatness in cutting was the ob- 
ject, as a prize was in store for the figure most carefully 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 203 

trimmed. This prize was one of the new paper doll 
houses, which are sold in the toy-shops this year for a 
moderate price. 

By this time the ice was thoroughly broken, the last 
lingering vestige of shyness had disappeared, so that no 
special game or contest was necessary. The doll mothers 
talked over their different children, the extent and limita- 
tions of their different wardrobes. Then followed *'doll 
refreshments," where all the dolls sat around a nursery 
table and were helped to delicious imaginary viands. 

The doll sewing circle was also much appreciated. For 
it Eleanor's mother had cut from pale blue or pink flan- 
nelette a dozen little kimonos, which were intended for 
the children to display their skill in sewing upon. Half 
an hour passed delightfully in this way. Afterward the 
different kimonos were carefully examined and dolls' 
boots and gloves presented to those whose work was 
neatest. 

This fun over, the dolls recited pieces learned at school 
and showed their cleverness in other fields, until supper- 
time — a most fascinating repast, by the way. 

In the center of the table sat the Old Woman who 
Lived in a Shoe. The shoe was made of black cardboard, 
and occupying it with the old woman were at least a 
dozen "children" — wee dolls dressed to fit the part. 

These dolls were afterward given to the little guests as 
souvenirs of the occasion. 

Supper was served on the pretty Mother Goose china, 
which is specially designed for juvenile entertainments. 



204 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



PARTIES FOR VERY LITTLE CHILDREN. 

When the merest toddlers, children from four to six 
years old, are to be entertained, a simple plan, easily 
grasped, is required for the birthday frolic. 

However, the fun can be new and bright without be- 
coming too complicated for the comprehension of the 
little guests. 

A flower search is a charming way to lead off such a 
programme, the flowers involved to be paper ones with 
wire stems. 

Violets are delightful for the purpose, and, thanks to 
the flower-making outfits now to be had in any novelty 
shop or department store, mother or grown-up sister can 
fashion a quantity of the modest little blooms in a couple 
of hours. 

Some grown-up person begins the game by reciting a 
poem, original or from the poets, about a violet. At 
the last word of the poem the little people begin their 
search for the hidden flowers, which are concealed around 
the room. 

Signal for discontinuing the search is given by bell. 
The boy or girl who at the end of that time has collected 
most violets receives a prize. A stick-pin with flower 
head is a good gift in this game. 

Ring Toss, a contest which any little one can under- 
stand, becomes fresh and Avonderful if the rings are 
covered with gold and silver tinsel, or with tissue-paper 
flowers. The stand should be similarly decorated. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 205 

Again, have slips of paper in the same number as there 
will be children in the party, and on each one write a 
number. Tie the slips up in a bag made of thin silver or 
gold paper or fancy striped tissue. 

Depend this bag from a screw in the ceiling with white 
or colored ribbon. At the psychological moment one of 
the children of the household^ who does not enter into 
competition for the prize, is blindfolded and given a walk- 
ing-stick. With the latter the gilt bag is burst, bringing 
the little slips scattering down. 

The children scramble for the slips. The number 
found on each child's slip is that of the bundle he is al- 
lowed to gather from the Prize Tree. 

The children scramble for the slips. The number 
green, projecting from the wall or the lintel of a door, to 
which a number of little bundles, wrapped in gilt, silver 
and other bright colors, are attached. On each bundle 
is a card with a number corresponding to that on one of 
the slips. 

The child drawing a bundle opens it and retains the 
simple souvenir or picture it contains buried in it. 

Walnut shells, with hollows filled with tiny candy drops, 
can be substituted for the bundles on the Prize Tree. Or 
picture postals can be tied on the green with ribbon. The 
pleasure of the game for a child lies in the excitement and 
triumph of finding something, not in the intrinsic merit 
of the object found. 

The game of matching fragments of cut-up pictures is 
suitable for even the youngest children. They will also 
enjoy Tiddledywinks and Jackstraws, or Fish Pond, 
played with simple prizes. Or any blindfold game on 



206 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

the order of the celebrated Donkey Party could figure in 
the programme. 

Generally speaking, it is foolish extravagance to have 
recourse to a caterer for children's party refreshments. 
More than one entertainer has found with surprise, after 
expending a considerable sum on fancy molds and novel- 
ties in the way of sandwiches, that the simplest things 
prepared at home were those which hit the uncertain 
buirs-eye of juvenile taste. 

Wrap the sandwiches in squares of colored tissue paper, 
or cut them in fancy shapes with cooky cutters, or roll 
and tie with baby ribbon, and with what acclaim they are 
received ! 

Cover the plain salad with tiny tortoises made from half 
walnut shells and cardboard, and what a sensation is 
created ! 

Even the most ordinary brick of ice cream wnll be won- 
derful if decorated with silver stars easily cut from tinfoil. 
Or have the ices fashioned in the small individual squares 
which are so often seen, and stick a tissue-paper flower in 
each portion, or lay a spoon of hard chocolate on each 
saucer. 

The list of novelties which can be devised at home is 
practically without limit, and the saving is considerable. 

Refreshments served at children's parties should be un- 
failingly wholesome. It is unfair to the mothers who 
confide their carefully dieted little people to your care 
for an evening of frolic, to provide rich and indigestible 
things to which the youngsters are unaccustomed. 

Bouillon in cups, with crackers, is wholesome for any 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 207 

afternoon or evening except a very hot one, and bowls of 
bread and milk are suitable for the tiniest guests. 

Never serve coffee or tea, as many children are not per- 
mitted either of these stimulants. Milk, not too cold, 
and lemonade made of the pure juice of the fruit, are pre- 
ferred as drinkables. 



A DAISY FETE FOR CHILDREN. 

A DELIGHTFUL springtime party for children of the 
primary-grade age took the form of a daisy festival. In- 
vitations were issued upon picture postals chosen in daisy 
design, and the frolics of the sunny afternoon were 
divided between the roomy porch of an old-fashioned 
country house and the fields surrounding it. 

The first part of the afternoon programme required 
that the little people pair off as partners. This was done 
by measuring daisy petals cut from cardboard. Match- 
ing petals were put in two dift'erent bags, the boys draw- 
ing from one and the girls from another. The boy and 
girl whose petals matched exactly were companions for 
a novel search. 

Each pair of partners received an inexpensive basket 
with handle tied with ribbon, after which they were dis- 
patched into a blossoming daisy field just below the 
house to compete for the prize by endeavoring to find 
(or prepare) i, the biggest daisy; 2, the biggest bouquet; 
3, the most beautiful daisy. Half an hour was devoted 
to the search, at the end of which time a bell summoned 



208 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

the daisy-seekers to return. A bag made of pretty col- 
ored tissue paper in yellow, tied with green ribbon, in 
which daisies were caught, and filled wath home-made 
butter taffy, rewarded each of the successful com- 
petitors. 



PRIZES ARE GIVEN. 

The second award, that for the bouquet, was given for 
the nosegay containing the greatest number of daisies, 
perfect in form and carefully picked, with long, even 
stems. Carelessly made bunches w^ere barred. 

Another contest was arranged under the trees sur- 
rounding the house. When the young folk had rested 
after fheir labors, and lemonade with wafers had been 
passed, a grown person laid upon the smooth turf of the 
lawn what appeared to be the central yellow disk of a 
huge daisy, made from tissue paper and cardboard. 

The youngsters were then sent to search for the miss- 
ing petals, which, made in the same way, were hidden 
around the porches, arbors, shrubbery and under the 
trees. 

A prize was awarded to the child who first brought 
his petal to lay beside the yellow disk, and another to 
him or her who brought most petals to complete the 
big bloom. 

A copy of 'The Daisy Chain,'' by Charlotte Yonge, 
was the prize in this round. The child who fared worst 
won a booby in the form of a huge tissue-paper daisy, 
which was pinned to him. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 209 



DAISY GARLANDS USED. 

A good variation of this game would be one where 
the disk of a daisy is painted upon an upright target, and 
the children endeavor, with their eyes bandaged, to pin 
the petals around it. The one who comes nearest wins 
the trophy. 

To return to the original function, the porch and lower 
floor of the house were delightfully trimmed with daisy 
garlands and huge bunches of the pretty white and yellow 
blooms. A double garland was wound in and out of the 
porch railings, and huge bunches, carefully set off with 
feathery grass and leaves, were tied to each newel post 
with large bows of green tissue paper. White and yellow 
lanterns, unlighted during the early part of the after- 
noon, helped out the decorative scheme. 

The refreshment table for the supper, served after the 
different sports, was truly delightful. All around the 
edge ran a slender daisy chain, while glass vases filled 
with the flowers stood toward each end of the board. 
The centerpiece was a daisy cake, which was really a 
group of cakes, the one in the center iced yellow, with 
lady-fingers of the larger size, iced in white, laid all 
around, to represent petals. Each child, when dessert 
was served, received a part of this novel daisy. 

WHAT TO EAT. 

The creamed chicken, always a dainty and wholesome 
suggestion for little folks' menus, was served in daisy- 



210 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

trimmed paper cases. These impromptu ramekins were 
made in this way: The little frilled paper boxes, which 
sell for a few cents a dozen, were secured, and covered 
with a pretty shade of green tissue paper. Around each 
edge was sewed a border of stemless artificial daisies. 
The children went wild about the novel dishes, and the 
entree served in them proved doubly delicious because 
of them. 

The salad, too, was in daisy form. It was served on 
individual plates, each youngster having his own daisy. 
It is prepared in this way: Lay a couple of crisp lettuce 
leaves on the plate, and in the center of these put half 
the yolk of hard-boiled egg cut across, not lengthwise, 
and arranged with the rounded end upward. Around 
this, group petals cut from the white of the ^gg with a 
sharp knife. Dress with French or cream dressing. 

For the original affair the ice-cream was specially 
prepared by a caterer in daisy forms of white and yel- 
low ices. Where this is impractical for any reason, the 
tiny earthenware flower-pots of the smallest size used 
for slipping make a charming substitute. Line them 
with tinfoil and paraffine paper, and fill with any variety 
of home-made ice-cream. Stick upright in each a spray 
of artificial (tissue paper) daisies. 

A JACK HORNER PIE. 

Just before the children left the table came the crown- 
ing glory of the repast — a huge Jack Horner pie, in the 
form of a daisy. This was built up in a tin dishpan 
filled with sawdust, in which gifts for each child were 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 211 

buried. The top of the pan was covered with yellow 
tissue paper, and from the edges projected petals of 
white cardboard, each of which was attached to a favor 
below. The children pulled the petals, and quickly ob- 
tained the gifts as the pie was passed from one to another. 

A BUBBLE BUNDLE PARTY. 

Something new, and which the youngsters never fail 
to pronounce fascinating, is a Bundle Party of a new 
order. The little notes of invitation, which name ''bubble 
bundling" as the fun in store, are tied in wee bundles 
and sent, ''expressage prepaid,'' through Uncle Sam's 
delivery system. 

To prepare for the bubble bundling, get together a 
dozen small gifts, which may be very simple, in order 
to prevent the entertainment from assuming too costly 
a character. 

They might consist of a pencil, a pocket tablet, a half- 
dozen caramels, a doll's bonnet, a top, a wee teapot, a 
ten-cent postcard album, a rubber ball, a purse, a pen- 
knife, a fruit-shaped pincushion, a needle-book. 

If possible, use as the final wrapper tissue paper in 
several shades, as this adds so much to the color effect 
of the whole. 

Pink and pale blue could be used to distinguish the 
bundles holding gifts for girls ; red and green, red and 
yellow, or dark blue and red, those for the boys. 

When completed, the packages are heaped up in the 
center of the parlor table, where they make a goodly 
showing in varied rainbow tints. 



212 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

To play the game, some bowls of soapy water and 
pipes are necessary, or one of the quarter-dollar bubble 
outfits can be purchased for the purpose. 

The bundles, one at a thne, are attached to a string, 
which depends from the ceiling, and each child in turn 
takes up its position at a certain part of the room, sev- 
eral yards away from the bundle. 

Each little player has three chances in which to hit 
the bundle with a bubble. If any .of the three bubbles 
blown by him hits the bundle, the prize contained in the 
latter is his. 

If all fail to hit the mark, the turn passes. 

When a little girl is to try her fortune, the floor man- 
ager will, of course, hang up a pale blue or pink bundle ; 
otherwise, one in the colors chosen for the boys. 

A CHRISTENING PARTY. 

Very simple, but pretty, should be the christening or 
caudle party, when baby makes his first bow to society, 
and only the nearest friends are asked to this function. 

The hour set for baptism should be one that will not 
interfere with baby's nap. Try to have the child ready 
for his first dissipation by giving him a long nap, so he 
will be smiling and good-natured. 

The infant should be dressed in his prettiest garments, 
and should not appear until everything is ready, when 
he is brought in on a pillow, or in his bassinet if very 
small. A babe of six months may be carried in in his 
nurse's or godmother's arms. 

For this occasion the drawing-room should be deco- 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 213 

rated with simple flowers, preferably white or blush pink. 
The baptismal bowl should be wreathed with flowers. It 
must be placed on a stand or on a small white draped 
table at one end of the room. The bowl is usually of 
glass or silver. If one has a family heirloom that can 
be used on this occasion it should be pressed into service. 

As to refreshments, the table should be set in pure 
white, with flowers and candles in harmony ; for a center 
ornament, the bowl of caudle, w^hich is dipped out with 
a silver spoon and passed from one guest to the other. 
This spoon becomes the property of the baby at the end 
of the ceremony. The contents of the bowl may be the 
regular old-fashioned caudle mixture of hot wine and 
raisins, in which to drink the baby's health, or a more 
modern brew. The cups used in serving caudle may be 
the regular caudle cups, copies in glass, china or silver 
of those favored in England five hundred years ago (for 
this ceremony has many years of tradition behind it), or 
ordinary sherbet glasses. With the caudle are served 
delicate sandwiches, angel cake or slices of an old-fash- 
ioned christening cake, with salted nuts and confections. 
Often the sandwiches are omitted entirely, and simply 
the caudle or punch and cakes are served. 

Should one wash to use the traditional old English 
caudle, it can be easily prepared at home. It should be 
made the day before using. 

To mix it, stir two large cupfuls oatmeal into three 
quarts boiling water, salting to taste. Add a cupful of 
seeded raisins, two sliced lemons, a stick of cinnamon and 
a grated nutmeg. Boil one hour, strain, then place in the 
ice-box until ready to serve. 



214 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

At serving time, reheat slowly to the boiling point, 
add a quart of hot milk, a pint of brandy, a half-pint 
Jamaica rum and a pint of hot sherry. Pour into a bowl, 
whose contents may be kept hot by a spirit lamp under- 
neath, or by setting over the hot- water pan of a chafing 
dish. Serve in cups, with a spoonful of whipped cream 
and a little grated lemon peel. A small portion of this 
liquid is sufificient for most persons, who prefer a more 
modern and non-alcoholic beverage with which to start 
the new baby on his journey through life. 

Sometimes little boxes of angel cake, tied with narrow 
white ribbon and bearing the child's name in silver let- 
tering, are presented as souvenirs of the occasion. 

Naturally, the reception is a brief one, and the baby is 
excused as soon as his health has been proposed and 
drunk by all present. 



AN ORANGE PARTY. 

Everything suggested the orange. The little score- 
card presented to each child w^as decorated with orange 
baby ribbon, and to it was attached a yellow pencil. The 
flowers in the vases on the mantelpiece were yellow, and 
on the table stood a pretty epergne, heaped high wuth the 
wholesome golden fruit. 

The programme for the afternoon had been previously 
arranged, in order to make things slip along merrily 
and keep each little person so thoroughly occupied that 
he would have no time to feel shy. The first game was 
an orange race. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 215 

For this kind of contest a certain course is arranged. 
In this case the central line — the backbone, one might 
call it — of the parlor was chosen. One end of the course 
is called the starting point, the other the goal. At the 
starting point a large basket of oranges is placed. The 
object of the race is to see who, in a given time, can 
carry most oranges over the course from starting point 
to goal, the carrying being done with a wooden spoon. 
At this orange party, each wooden spoon was tied with 
yellow ribbon. The lucky person who succeeds, by the 
time the bell rings, in placing most oranges at the goal, 
is declared winner, and gets a prize. 

Of course, if an orange rolls off the spoon and falls 
to the carpet, this constitutes a failure, and the fruit has 
to be carried back to the starting point. 

The race was followed by that very amusing trick — 
the seasick orange. One of the mammas present was 
called upon to act as showman. She selected, for her 
purpose, a particularly large and juicy piece of fruit. 
Upon its outer surface she cut, with a sharp knife, eyes, 
nose and mouth. The eyes and nose were cut very 
slightly, care being taken not to reach the juice. But 
the mouth was cut, as the expression goes, from ear to 
ear, and went deeply into the juicy pulp. To make the 
orange seasick, she took the back of the head in her 
hand and squeezed hard. In a moment the big mouth 
gaped open and — well, very shortly afterwards the fruit 
was severely attacked by 7iial de mer. 

When the children had almost finished laughing at the 
poor, seasick orange, a maid entered the room, carrying 
on a tray a glass preserve jar, filled with orange-seeds. 



216 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

The jar was placed on the table, in full view, and each 
child was invited to guess how many seeds were con- 
tained in it. The guesses were all recorded, and the 
child whose guess came nearest to being correct received 
a prize. 

Parlor croquet, with very small oranges for balls, vvas 
also much enjoyed. 

After so much vigorous work, the supper-bell, when 
it rang, had a pleasant sound. Such a simple, wholesome 
and satisfying supper as it proved to be! There were 
cold milk and orangeade, chicken, tongue and beef sand- 
wiches in abundance, and rolls tied with yellow baby rib- 
bon. There was orange water ice, served in the skins of 
the same fruit, and plenty of light, home-made cake. 
From beginning to end, the children say, the orange 
party was delightful. 

FUN WITH PINS. 

When an unexpected guest took us unawares^, and 
every possible suggestion for an entertainment seemed to 
have taken flight, the inventive micmber devised a most 
amusing evening, the basis of which was nothing more or 
less than an everyday paper of pins. The idea is worth 
"making a note on,'' as Captain Cuttle says, against a 
similar emergency in any other household. 

First in order came Pin Guess, a title which as well 
as the sport itself was the result of a momentary happy 
thought. For it a large paper of pins was opened and 
displayed in full view of all the company. Pieces of 
paper and pencils were distributed, and the point became 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 217 

to guess the actual number of pins in all the rows. This 
sounded much easier when propounded by the stage 
manager than it proved on actual test, as any company 
to whom it is proposed impromptu will discover. 

PIN STICK. 

The pins were then removed from the paper, each 
person receiving an equal amount of them. One by one 
the players w^ere called upon to try their hand at pin- 
dropping. This was done by standing erect, with the 
arms straight out from the shoulder, and slowly dropping 
the pins, one at a time, point side down. Each pin 
sticking erect in the carpet counted one point for the 
person dropping it, and the player who placed most won 
the prize. 

In another round two players matched each other, a 
delighted audience standing around and applauding their 
efforts or urging them to greater speed. Here the object 
was to see who could, in a limited space of two minutes, 
miake the longest row of pins. Each player took up his 
position at one end of the table and the pins were stuck 
in the heavy meshes of the chenille table-cover. Time 
was kept by the watch. As soon as one player had 
proved his superiority another rose to contest it, and this 
continued, one matching another, until a champion was 
fo'und. This girl or boy was the recipient of the prize. 

Still the ingenuity of the inventive member continued 
to hold out, and this time everybody ran around the room 
holding three pins, which he tried to drop into the mouth 
of a wide-necked vase, one at a time. Every one suc- 
ceeding had the privilege of drawing for the prize. 



218 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Again, a long row of pins was made in the carpet at 
one end of the room, and each young person in turn 
received three ordinary marbles. The company was 
herded in at that end of the room which was furthest 
from the pin row, and the fun began. Every pin over- 
thrown by a marble rolled into the row counted one point. 
The player was limited to his three marbles, but skillful 
bowlers managed to overthrow several at a time, running 
up very considerable scores. 

Another merry frolic was a pin hunt, with pins in sight. 
All of the party but the stage manager and one assistant 
were asked to pass for a moment or two into the hall. A 
bell rang, inviting them to return, after which they were 
ranged in a line up and down the room. Meanwhile the 
pins had been stuck everywhere around the room — in 
chair cushions, curtains, tablecloth, carpet — anywhere 
that it was possible to stick them. When the second bell 
rang there was a general rush for the pins, and the 
player collecting most before the supply had exhausted 
itself was pronounced to have won the game. If liked, 
each player might receive a small sheet of pink, white or 
blue paper, with directions to insert the pins in this in 
orderly rows, collections not so arranged being debarred 
from competition. 

JUVENILE GAMES. 

LONDON BRIDGE WITH FLOWERS. 

A VERY pretty flower game for children is a version 
of London Bridge. Two children clasp hands, holding 
them in the form of an arch, as in the older game. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 219 

Under this arch the rest of the party pass. The two 
forming it sing meanwhile: 

"We're looking for a pansy, a pansy, a pansy; 
We're looking for a pansy, and here's one now." 

So singing, they capture some child and add him or 
her to their line, as in London Bridge, the child saying 
which side he or she prefers. 

The song remains the same throughout, but the name 
of the flower is changed after each capture. 

As the tug of war is considered rather strenuous for 
a company including little girls, this feature can be 
relegated to the boys' games. Instead of tugging, have 
the little ones form a ring and dance when all the flowers 
have been found. 

THE SHIP GAME. 

For an acting game called 'The Ship," each child 
assumes the name of some part, some officer or other 
feature of a vessel. Thus, one becomes sailor, one pilot, 
another fog horn, one rudder, one sail, and so forth. A 
little story into which all the features of the ship are 
woven has been prepared in advance. When the game is 
in readiness, some one reads aloud the story. As each 
child hears his assumed name mentioned, he rises and 
imitates the person or thing named. Thus, ''the foghorn 
blew a mournful blast, the sail flapped and veered in the 
wind, the sailor climbed a mast and saluted his superior 
officer, the engine puffed, the wheels turned round." 
Each child taking part thinks out the acting without 
assistance from an older person. 



220 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

THE AMBITIOUS ANT. 

In order to afford the observant and studious members 
of a juvenile company a chance to distinguish themselves, 
a game of a different order, called 'The Ambitious Ant," 
can be introduced. 

For it chairs are arranged in a row or circle and each 
child is given the name of something, as ''Oak/' "Robin," 
"Grass/' "Bee/' "Apple," "Violet," "Lily," "Ocean," 
"Sky," "Mountain." 

Let the party-giver or some other adult then read 
aloud a short introduction, telling the story of the Am- 
bitious Ant, who, after having labored for many years 
at making sand-hills, resolved to obtain an education. 

She accordingly set forth upon a journey around the 
countryside, asking each creature, as she came to it, to 
impart to her any useful, interesting or beautiful thing 
concerning itself which it might happen to know. This 
information sometimes took the form of natural history, 
sometimes of proverb, fable or legend. Literary allusions 
and poetical quotations were gratefully received. 

In this w^ay the ant became well educated ; "much more 
so, perhaps," says the narrative, "than if she had obtained 
a college education." 

A child, who in the beginning of the game did not 
receive the name of any natural object, is now christened 
The Ant. He or she makes a round of the circle, asking 
each creature for some information about itself. 

Thus, the "Oak" might quote a proverb about the little 
acorns from which tall oaks grow, speak of the sacred 
attributes of the oak in Druid days, relate the story of 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 221 

the "Charter Oak," or of the "Royal Oak," in which the 
king concealed himself to avoid capture. 

The "Apple" would probably recall the part it played 
in the Garden of Eden ; also the apple bestowed by Paris 
upon the fair one, which caused such fatal discord. The 
Apples of Sodom, Apples of Hesperides, might be ex- 
plained. 

The "Violet" might refer to its symbolic modesty, 
might quote the violet by the mossy stone, relate the 
story of Ion, from whom the first violet sprang, and of 
Napoleon, whose followers adopted the little flower for 
an emblem. 

Give a nature book with photographic illustrations to 
the boy or girl who, in the opinion of the judge, talks 
most entertainingly about what he or she represents. 

A SMALL BOY^S INDIAN PARTY. 

For a "real" boy's party, where only the adventure- 
loving sex is to be present, the Indian encampment makes 
a splendid motif. The sports are those of the aboriginal 
American, in highly modified form, and everything 
throughout must have a Red Indian flavor. 

Send out invitations written on birch bark, using red 
ink. The form, too, must be in keeping. Here is just a 
suggestion for it: 

Chief Jack Ferguson requests the pleasure of 
Chief George Henry's company at a Big Pow-wow 
to occur at his wigwam {2y Fairview Av.), on April 
25, from 3 to 6 p. m. (Indian suit if you have one.) 



222 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

The Indian party is available either indoors or out. 

Very satisfactory tents can be made by folding in half 
anything of the nature of a colored counterpane or dis- 
used portiere (even calico dusting covers), and placing 
these across a stiffly drawn clothesline. Tack down the 
four corners securely to pegs, after extending them to 
give the effect of a tent. Four or five pieces so arranged 
will give the* effect of a veritable encampment. 

For the sake of the little fellows v/ho do not possess 
the picturesque Indian suits now so popular among the 
youngsters, it is well to have at hand a number of large 
quill feathers, which can be brilliantly treated with water- 
color or dye. Each little chap should receive one of the 
plumes with which to ornament his scalp locks. 

When all the expected ones have assembled, have a bow 
and arrow contest, with a prize for the best shot. Each 
small boy in turn shoots a single arrow, and the turns 
continue until each archer has had three shots. The prize 
is a bead belt, which goes, of course, to the youth scoring 
highest. 

If two or more boys have the same score, all these must 
draw. 

Then follows a Big Game Hunt. For this clip from 
advertisements, newspapers and colored cards of any 
kind, as many pictures of wild beasts as you can secure. 
Hide the pictures (before the boys arrive) in the vicinity 
of the encampment. When the signal is given all begin 
to search for the game. 

The youngster who succeeds in capturing most crea- 
tures before the jungle is cleared, receives a prize. A 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 223 

practical bow and quiver would be appreciated in this 
connection. 

For another round have as many blank cards as there 
will be guests. On each card write the name of some 
chief well known to history or fiction, and pin the cards 
to the backs of diflferent boys. No boy must know what 
is written on his particular card. Among the available 
names are such familiar ones as Uncas, Rain-in-the-Face, 
Sitting Bull, King Philip, Powatan and Hiawatha, which 
are familiar to every school-going lad. 

The guest, while not aware of his own redskin name, 
can plainly read those worn by his mates, and is supposed 
to address each friend in Indian character, in such a way 
that a clew is given as to his identity. Thus, in speaking 
to a boy wearing the name Hiawatha, one might say: 
"You would make a popular hit in music," or, "You must 
have met Longfellow.'' To King Philip: "Do you re- 
member the dreadful war you stirred up in the early days 
of our country?'' And so forth. 

The boy first to guess his own identity receives a copy 
of "Leather Stocking," or some other Indian story. 

Again, divide oflf the company into two parties, and 
with liquid calcimine, or something of the same kind, 
mark off a good-sized square on the turf. Each division 
of the boys represents a tribe. Let the tribes join hands 
and dance a novel medicine dance, which consists in 
dancing slowly around the chalked-off square. While 
they dance, each tribe tries to draw some member of the 
opponent force into the square. Any member so drawn 
in loses one point to the side to which he belongs. It is 
not permissible to devote time to pulling only. The tribes 



224 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

must dance at the same time, regulating speed to suit 
their activities. Members of the side losing fewest points 
draw for the prize. This could be an Indian chief in 
hard chocolate. Another half hour could be enjoyably 
spent in a rousing game of 'T Spy.'' The youngsters are 
divided into tw^o bands, to which Indian tribal names are 
given — the Black Hawk tribe, for example, and the Red 
Feathers. The tribe which in shortest time ''spies" most 
opponents is said to have taken most captives. Members 
of this side draw for a prize. A box in the shape of a 
hatchet {i.e., a tomahawk), filled with candy, would be 
appreciated as a trophy. 

The refreshment table, if there is a little time to devote 
to it, may be made very picturesque and Indianish. For 
the centerpiece have a birch-bark canoe filled with water 
lilies or other aquatic flowers. The canoe can be shaped 
from two flexible pieces of birch bark sewed along the 
outer edges and distended toward the center with lead 
pencils or match sticks. Place this on a square or cir- 
cular mirror to give the effect of water, and surround 
the mirror with green leaves. 

Indian moccasins, and pincushions, sweet-grass baskets 
and other trifles ofifered by Indian goods dealers make 
attractive souvenirs, if the hostess desires to elaborate 
further. 

Label the various dishes with humorous names appro- 
priate to the occasion. Thus, the water carafe is Laugh- 
ing Water, the cold meats or sandwiches Buffalo Meat or 
Jerked Venison. 



Book of Parties and Pastirnes 225 
ENTERTAINMENTS FOR LITTLE FOLK. 

A PROGRESSIVE JACKSTRAW PARTY. 

To CELEBRATE the birthday of a Httle lady of ten years, 
a Progressive Jackstraw Party was arranged by the 
mother of a youthful hostess. The sixteen children who 
participated were unanimous in pronouncing the frolic a 
splendid success. 

Invitations were written on straw-colored paper, a tiny 
bow made of hat straw being glued at the head of each 
sheet. The wording of the note also suggested the affair, 
as follows : 

"The pleasure of Miss Frances Kent's company is 
requested on Thursday evening, May fourth, from 
seven until eleven, to meet Jack Straw. A reply 
will be greatly appreciated.'' 

As each little guest arrived on the evening appointed, 
he or she was given a cardboard shape four or five inches 
long, representing a jackstraw. These shapes were tied 
with bows of baby ribbon in different colors. There 
were four colors in all — red, green, blue and yellow. 
These colors designated the tables at which the young- 
sters drawing them were to begin the progression. A 
larger bow of corresponding color marked each table. 
. The game was old-fashioned jackstraws, but with 
variations. Among the ordinary straws at each table 
were found a number in the different colors found in the 



226 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

ribbons — red, blue, green and yellow. At the blue table 
any blue straws counted five; all others, whether colored 
or plain, counted one. At the red table all red straws 
counted five; all others, whether colored or plain, one. 
The same rule applied to yellow straws at the yellow table, 
and the green ones where green was trumps. 

The children received tallies as for a progressive card 
game, and those winning most points in any progression 
won stars. The rounds were fifteen minutes long, and 
were marked by the ringing of a bell. 

The prizes distributed for the greatest number of points 
were dolls' straw hats and fancy baskets. 

WILD ANIMAL SEARCH. 

A jolly and exciting plan for a children's birthday 
party was recently discovered by an inventive mamma. 
The children drew from a basket folded slips of paper, 
on which were written the names of different animals. 
The child who drew ''Lion'' was required to find twelve 
animal crackers, representing lions, that were hidden 
around the room; the child drawing ''Bear" had to find 
twelve bears, and so on. The search lasted an hour and a 
half, and kept the room in a merry uproar during that 
time. 

CHINESE TEA PARTY. 

Write the invitations on rice paper, or on the crisp red 
kind which can sometimes be bought in the Chinese 
quarters of cities, or in Oriental shops. Let the words 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 227 

come one below another down the left-hand side of the 
page — "printed'' characters instead of written ones. 

Festoon the rooms tastefully with Chinese lanterns, and 
have bowls with growing Chinese lilies, and a vase or 
two holding a few sprays of peach or cherry, or similar 
blossoms. There should be a dainty tea table, from which 
the little hostess can serve tiny cups of the real grown-up 
beverage (made weak), in honor of the occasion. I 
would suggest having ordinary games, with prizes, rather 
than attempting any distinctly Oriental contests. Parlor 
croquet is popular, so are ring toss and darts. There 
might be a blindfold game in which a Chinaman's head 
is drawn on a sheet and the children try to pin long 
queues of braided cord to it. 

Tiddledywinks and Old Maid are good table games for 
little people, and ping-pong has a very Oriental sound. 
At supper each little maid's cover can be distinguished 
by a pretty Chinese paper fan, to which is attached a 
card with her name on it. Or the sandwiches, candies 
and other dainties can be served on lacquer trays used in- 
stead of plates. 

The tray is covered with a tissue-paper napkin, and 
each child retains hers as a souvenir. If you can secure 
one of the large paper parasols sold in Oriental shops this 
makes a pretty trimming, suspended above the dining- 
room table, and the place-cards can hang from the 
various points with ribbons. 

Or suspend the parasol above the tea table to form a 
little bower, and tie a colored lantern to each point of the 
ribs. This is an extremely pretty arrangement. Serve 
among the refreshments, little colored glasses of sherbet, 



228 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

in each of which is inserted a spray of some natural 
blossom, as the cherry flower, and call the ice cherry 
blossom water ice. 



MERRY-MAKINGS OUT OF DOORS. 
FOR PICNIC LUNCH BASKETS. 



Pressed Chicken. 

Baking Powder Biscuit. Lettuce Sandwiches. 

Eggs stuffed with Ham. 

Olives. Pickles. 

Tarts. Lady Baltimore Cake. 

Strawberries. 
Lemonade or Grape Juice. 



In planning a picnic, it must be borne in mind that the 
fresh, out-of-door air begets hearty appetites. All men 
on a picnic care more for hearty food appetizingly served 
than for dainties. The carrying receptacle is the first 
item of interest, whether it be the fastidious young person 
who disdains an obtrusive-looking parcel, or pater- 
familias who openly avows his rooted objection to lugging 
a big heavy basket. There are new and altogether de- 
lightful lunch baskets or hampers for the family who 
have a motor car to stow them away in on their way to 
the picnic ground. These are of wicker or leather or 
aluminum, fitted completely for two, four or six people, 
the larger ones even including a folding table and effi- 
cient little stoves for heating water, etc. These range in 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 229 

price from five dollars to one hundred dollars, and in- 
clude, besides knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, etc., can- 
openers, corkscrews, a chafing dish, and almost every aid 
to light housekeeping. For most of us, however, light- 
weight pasteboard boxes lined with oiled paper, some- 
thing we can ''tote'' ourselves, and throw away at the 
end of the meal, still prove the most sensible and con- 
venient means for transporting the lunch. In order to 
carry these easily, small straps with handles or twine 
with a wooden handle, such as the shops put around 
large bundles, may be used. 

If necessary to carry plates, the cheap wooden ones 
will suffice, and may be left behind with the box when the 
meal is concluded. 

Paper napkins are now within the reach of all, and they 
may serve as tablecloths as well as napkins. A box con- 
taining a good-sized tablecloth and dozen napkins may be 
purchased for ten cents, if one wishes to go to that 
extravagance. The salad or devilled eggs should have a 
box to themselves, and be neatly wrapped in oiled paper. 
If necessary to carry salad dressing, take in a separate 
bottle ; olives and pickles can also be carried in bottles, 
while crispy radishes, neatly wrapped in oiled paper, add 
piquancy, with little weight, to the feast of good things. 
Salt and pepper, mixed, may be put in little paper cornu- 
copias, one for each individual. 

SANDWICHES FOR THE LUNCH BOX. 

The sandwich, which is the backbone of the cold 
luncheon, admits of wide variation so that all tastes will 



230 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

be satisfied. The bread may be white or brown, Boston, 
whole wheat or corn, rye or pumpernickel. It may be 
rolls or biscuit, cold gems or a loaf, but the filling must 
accord with the "binding.'' 

The bread should be cut thin, but not necessarily crust- 
less, and the butter will spread evenly if first creamed. 
After making the sandwiches, wrap at once in paraffine 
paper, and they will keep moist for hours. 

SANDWICH FILLINGS. 

These indeed are legion. A hearty and most delicious 
sandwich has chicken salad for its filling. Butter the 
bread lightly, put a layer of tender lettuce on each slice, 
for a binder to the salad, which should be plentifully 
moistened with mayonnaise. For a chicken salad filling, 
the meat and celery should be cut finer than for the salad 
when served alone. Wrap each sandwich separately in 
paraffine paper. 

A delectable sandwich filling is made of equal parts 
butternuts, English walnuts or pecans, ground fine, and 
cream cheese moistened with sweet, thick cream and sea- 
soned with salt. Grated American cheese may be used in 
place of the cream cheese, and melted butter be employed 
to blend the ingredients. Slices of tomato and lettuce, 
with dressing, make a good filling, as also slices of Swiss 
cheese cut wafer thin. 

A good hearty sandwich is made of Boston brown 
bread with minced corned beef seasoned with made 
mustard and rubbed to a paste with a little butter, for 
the filling. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 231 



NEW POTTED THINGS FOR TEAS AND PICNICS. 

Cheese filled with chopped nuts now comes put up in 
glass jars for sandwich fillings; also a paste of chicken 
and truffles to be spread thinly on bread and butter ; while 
boneless imported sardines, domestic sardines put up in 
mustard, Holland herring, bloater paste, shrimp and sar- 
dine paste, caviare, boneless anchovies, each and all add 
variety and piquancy to the feast. 

PICNIC POINTERS. 

At a family beach picnic, the piece de resistance was 
beefsteak broiled over the coals. A fire was made ; then, 
when burned down, beefsteak cut in generous pieces was 
given each one, who put his portion on a forked stick and 
attended to his own broiling. Unlimited bread and butter, 
with radishes for the relish, made a most enjoyable 
repast. 

Marshmallows toasted on the ends of sharp-pointed 
sticks, make a tasty finish to any meal. 

When carrying coffee to an out-of-door meal, where 
it IS to be cooked, tie the ground coffee into a square of 
cheese-cloth. This saves the necessity of using eggs to 
clear the coffee, or of straining it when made. 

GREEN PEPPERS FOR SALAD HOLDERS. 

Sweet green peppers, the seeds removed, and stuffed 
with salad, make an appreciated addition to the lunch 
box. 



232 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



CELERY STUFFED WITH GORGONZOLA CHEESE. 

This is one of the most popular hors-d'oeuvres, whether 
served at a picnic, a '^finger and thumb dinner" or even a 
state dinner or wedding breakfast. Take wide pieces of 
tender celery, and fill each one with any of the following 
mixtures : Gorgonzola cheese mixed with salt, pepper and 
chopped olives, green or ripe ; cream cheese and walnuts 
or chopped olives ; sardines mixed with yolks of hard- 
boiled eggs, or caviare and lemon. The narrow end of 
the stalk serves as a handle. When served indoors, the 
stuffed celery is chilled and thin crackers are passed with 
it as an accompaniment. 

AFTER A MORNING IN THE FIELD. 

A good substantial lunch prepared for boys who had 
spent a morning in the athletic field, consisted of baked 
beans, warmed up in a chafing dish that had been taken 
out into the pavilion. With it were substantial sand- 
wiches filled with slices of ham and bologna sausage, 
pickles, cheese, home-made doughnuts and apple pie — a 
''bully spread'' was the boys' dictum. 

A FINE BIG LAYER CAKE. 

While small cakes are much easier to carry to the 
picnic, a large home-made layer cake always awakens a 
chorus of "Oh's!" and *'Ah's!" when released from its 
wrappings, and never is there a crumb left to tell the tale 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 233 

of its excellence. If packed in a large pasteboard box, 
and not cut until the proper moment for its serving, it will 
remain fresh and not ''messy," while the box can be 
thrown away after its contents are finished. For this 
purpose a chocolate layer cake or a Lady Baltimore cake 
leads. 

LADY BALTIMORE CAKE. 

The ingredients for this famous historical cake are 
one cupful butter, two cupfuls sugar, three and a half 
cupfuls flour, one cupful sweet milk, two level teaspoon- 
fuls baking powder, the whites of six eggs and a tea- 
spoonful rose-water. Cream the butter, add the sugar 
gradually, beating steadily, then the milk and flavoring, 
next the flour, sifted with the baking powder, and 
the stiffly whipped whites folded in at the last. Bake in 
three layer-cake tins in an oven hotter than for loaf cake. 
While baking prepare the filling. Dissolve three cupfuls 
sugar in one cupful boiling water and cook until it spins 
a thread. Pour over the stiffly beaten whites of three 
eggs, stirring constantly. Add to this icing, one cupful 
chopped raisins, one cupful chopped nut meats, prefer- 
ably pecans or walnuts, and a half dozen figs cut in fine 
strips. Use this as a filling for the layers, and ice the 
top and sides of the cake with the same. 

SANDWICHES IN QUANTITY. 

In making sandwiches in quantity, it is well to remem- 
ber that one pint of chopped meat or fish makes twenty- 
five sandwiches. 



234 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



COFFEE FOR LARGE SOCIAL FUNCTION. 

Allow one pound of finely ground coffee to each thirty 
persons. Put into bags made of cheese-cloth, which has 
been boiled before using, to free it from lint, allowing 
space for the grounds to swell. Put the bags in a boiler, 
and cover with cold water, allowing a gallon and three- 
quarters of cold water to each pound of coffee. Place 
over the fire, bring to the boiling point, and then push 
back, and after a little again bring forward. Simmer in 
this way for ten minutes, never letting it boil hard ; then 
push back for ten minutes before serving. 

A RUSTIC SOCIAL. 

A RUSTIC SOCIAL IS pretty and appropriate for any date 

in the fall of the vear. 

•I 

Invitations are written on squares of birch bark, 
decorated with gray lichens. Each form opens with a 
quotation from "Hiawatha" or other poem containing 
appreciation of the woodland. 

The parlor floor is strewn with dead leaves, acorns, pine 
cones, etc. 

A low wash-tub of wood or metal can be surrounded 
with a frame of poultry wire, in which ferns and other 
green things are thickly grouped, so as to hide the tub 
itself. A few water lilies are arranged to float on the 
surface of the water, as if growing there. If rustic 
garden chairs are at hand they lend themselves charm- 
ingly to the scheme. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 235 

A variety of contests suitable for a woodland setting 
affords the entertainer great choice in making up her 
programme. For example, the guests may be asked to 
spend a half hour fishing. This is done by means of the 
popular riddle game, where the answer to each question 
is the name of some fish. As : A prolonged cry ? Wail 
(whale); a musical term? Bass; the mariner's dread? 
Rock; and so on. 

Or a dozen cards can be distributed, on each of 
which is a number or a letter of the alphabet, and a 
pressed leaf, the latter neatly mounted with mucilage. 
Players are asked to identify the different botanical speci- 
mens given. 

Again, a nut search, the nuts to be hidden in the dead 
leaves (as in nature) and elsewhere around the room, 
would be exciting. All kinds of nuts in season can be 
included in this search. 

Booklets bound in imitation birch bark make attractive 
prizes in these games. 

The supper table can be made extremely pretty. The 
centerpiece is a circular, flat mirror, banked with vines, 
on which is poised a canoe filled with water lilies or wild 
flowers. Tiny baskets of candy nuts are attractive for 
favors. To each is attached a card having the name of 
some guest written on it. 

Or place-cards can be substituted. Any entertainer 
clever with brush and color box can make lovely ones 
of rough art paper, with woodland sketches in color. 



236 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



AN AUGUST FAN SOCIAL. 

When in doubt for an August entertainment on the 
porch, make it a fan social, all the fun to be founded on 
fans of some kind, brought in different ways into the 
scheme. 

The invitations should be written on cards cut in the 
shape of fans, tinted or not, according to the option and 
convenience of the hostess. 

When the guests have arrived, each receives a palm- 
leaf fan with a slip of paper pasted on it. On the paper 
is written either a riddle or the answer to it. 

The fun consists in seeing w^ho can soonest find the 
answer to his riddle. The players first to match fans 
correctly win paper fans as prizes. 

Another way to get up the same frolic, but without the 
riddles, is also worth describing, as some may prefer it. 
The entertainer should provide fans as alike as possible, 
to each pair of which some distinguishing difference is 
added. For example, a slight nick is made in the margin 
of one pair with a scissors ; m faint circle is drawn with 
pencil on some inconspicuous part of the surface; a bit 
of thread cotton is tied to the handle. The two players 
first to match their fans correctly win prizes. Or this 
plan may be used as a device for finding partners for 
some other game. 

In another round provide fans of white or pale-tinted 
paper, such as can be found among the very cheap grades 
in the large shops. Pencils are attached with ribbon to 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 237 

the handles of the fans. Fifteen minutes is allowed in 
which to work out and execute a decoration for one's fan, 
which is drawn in pencil. 

At the end of the allotted time, the hostess collects all 
fans and awards a prize (which might be a book on the 
lore of fans). 

A puzzle game of fans would be appropriate. The idea 
is a series of riddles or puzzles to be answered with words 
beginning with the syllable *'phan'' or "fan." Examples 
of such a series follow : 

A girl's fan ? Fanny. 

An excitable, extravagant fan ? Fanatic. 

A Chinese fan? Fan-tan. 

A trumpet fan ? Fanfare. 

A dance fan ? Fandango. 

A fan seen among pigeons ? Fantail. 

A musical fan? Fantasia. 

An ethereal fan? Phantom. 

A whimsical, imaginary fan? Phantasy. 

Men and women (if the party is a mixed one)' play 
together to work out the answers. A prize is adjudged 
to the lady of the pair whose list is considered best. 

FAN RACE. 

By way of a change from the sedentary games, have a 
fan race. For this a course is agreed on in advance. 
Each player receives a downy feather and a fan, the 
former to be wafted with the latter. The winner in each 



238 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

race matches a newcomer, and this continues until but one 
player remains. The feather can be caught on the fan 
if it threatens to fall, but must not actually reach the 
ground, as in this case the player is out of the running. 



"AS YOU LIKE IT" GARDEN PARTY. 

Instead of providing a contest or other sports in which 
all guests are expected to join, the hostess leaves each 
arrival free to spend the hours according to fancy. Vari- 
ous ways of passing the time are provided; the visitor 
dips into this or that, as whim decrees. For example, a 
couple of card tables are placed under the trees for those 
who feel energetic enough for whist or euchre. A cor- 
ner containing conversational rocking chairs tempts those 
who feel inclined toward a chat. Some of the ladies will 
enjoy a bit of fancywork. To meet the requirements of 
this pastime, the hostess produces a half-dozen unem- 
broidered doilies stamped for working, with needles, floss 
and scissors. Again, the fancywork may take the form 
of a chirographic cushion or table cover, on which names 
of guests are written with lead pencil, and afterward em- 
broidered, retaining as far as possible the character of 
the autograph. Ices, cakes and coffee are passed from 
time to time by a maid. A bowl of claret punch or 
lemonade wreathed with vines, and a tray of small colored 
punch glasses should occupy a table at some convenient 
point. Hammocks, books, photographs, croquet, tennis 
and bowls are other means of enjoyment which should be 
arranged for if it can be done with convenience. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 239 

FOR PICNIC TIME. 

A PICNIC no longer necessarily means a large and 
semi-public gathering, to be conveyed in vehicles to 
woods or fields at a distance. 

The hostess with a pleasant orchard or strip of woods 
near her home can entertain a number, either large or 
small, in rustic fashion, with a minimum of trouble and 
expense. 

Steamer chairs, wicker couches and other comfortable 
seats should be arranged in the shade of the trees. A 
bowl of iced lemonade, to be occasionally replenished 
from the house (with lid to protect against insects) can 
be placarded "The Spring,'' and occupy the broad top of 
a tree stump. 

Provide palm-leaf fans or inexpensive paper ones in 
abundance. If these are to serve as souvenirs, choose 
fancy articles, costing not more than fifteen or twenty- 
five cents apiece, write the names of the different guests 
on them with lead pencils, and attach them to the lower 
limbs of trees by means of loops of ribbon. Each woman 
in the party can search for the one bearing her name. 

One pretty feature when the picnickers are young 
people is a post-oflfice formed of a hole in a tree. A box 
of paper and envelopes, with pen and ink, are left near 
the post-office (the latter clearly labeled, of course). 

At any time during the afternoon the picnickers are 
at liberty to write a letter to any other member of the 
party, slipping it into the box. 

The contents of the box are not distributed until 



240 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

shortly before the party breaks up, when the contribu- 
tions, many of them anonymous, will give rise to much 
merriment. 

SOUVENIRS. 

The hostess may make use of this P. O. box to dis- 
tribute any little gifts or souvenirs she has under con- 
sideration for her friends. Or such trifles can be 
wrapped in pretty, ribbon-tied packages and attached to 
the lower limbs of trees, to bushes, etc. The fun of 
searching for them and examining them when found will 
occupy a half hour pleasantly. 

Additional prizes can be given for the greatest num- 
ber of four-leafed clovers found by any picnickers during 
the course of the afternoon. Pins with heads in the 
form of lucky clovers make attractive awards. Pen- 
wipers and other desk belongings can also be found in 
the same appropriate shape. 

GAMES UNDER THE TREES. 

A quiet game to play under the trees is called Adjec- 
tives. This is not the familiar one, where adjectives are 
filled into blanks in the text where they occur, but some- 
thing different. 

For it you will need a book of some kind, preferably 
fiction. Write on as many slips of paper as there will 
be players the numbers from one to twenty, or to thirty, 
as the case may be. Each member of the party selects 
one from a hat or basket. 

Some one then opens the book at random, and players 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 241 

take turns in reading aloud until some adjective is 
reached. The person holding slip No. i gives a signal 
for discontinuance of the reading, and, amid general 
silence, rises and pantomimes the adjective just read — a 
proceeding which is fraught with amusement to all con- 
cerned. The reading is afterward resumed, the player 
holding second slip taking the second adjective. In the 
same way, player with third slip, third adjective, and 
so on. 

WHO IS IT? 

Another simple, yet entertaining, guessing game is 
styled "Who Is It?" Players sit in a circle, and one of 
the number, to begin, is told to secretly choose another 
person in the company as the temporary subject of his 
thoughts. When a selection has been made, the rest of 
the company begin to question the player who made the 
choice, concerning his subject. 

Any questions are allowable regarding the appearance, 
disposition, etc., of the person in mind, except concern- 
ing the name. These questions and their answers will 
create much fun when the name of the subject is revealed. 

Some player, to his amusement, is certain to find that 
he had been querying with regard to himself. 

' When one subject has been guessed, the player next in 
line is asked to choose one, and the guessing continues 
as before. 

THE SHELL SEARCH. 

An interesting feature for a picnic assemblage of any 
age on the sand is a shell search, the interest of which 



242 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

lies in seeing who can, in the half-hour allotted for it, 
discover the greatest number of shells. 

Each shell must be of a different class, and must be 
perfect. Wee baskets, tied with ribbons, or simply paper 
bags, are distributed for holding the shells. 

Give shell ornaments, a shell necklace, paper weight 
or inkstand for an adult contest; baskets of shells or sea- 
shore buckets and other appropriate toys in a search 
arranged for young children. 

SAND PICNICS. 

For a sand picnic a new version of the Klondike game 
has been found very exciting. 

Inexpensive gifts, adapted to the ages and tastes of 
the company, are tied in packages and buried in the sand, 
to be searched for by the picnickers. 

The burying of the treasure is usually accomplished by 
some one who comes upon the scene in advance of the 
other members. But where (owing to the fact that the 
company come from a distance, and must arrive in a 
body) this is found impossible, the entertainer miust con- 
trive otherwise. For example, the players may be des- 
patched along the beach for a shell search. While they 
are absent, the treasure is buried. Each prospector 
should be given a toy shovel. Any bundle unearthed by 
him is his, according to the rules of the game. 

This Klondike can be arranged with equal success for 
a grown-up or a juvenile contingent, with simply a 
change in the nature of the ''treasure." A more or less 
secluded nook is necessary to the success of the game. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 243 

A GARDEN PARTY. 

For any one who has a pretty lawn a garden party is 
a delightful way of entertaining, and one of the easiest. 
Rugs should be spread on the grass in shady places, two 
or three hammocks, with gay cushions, swung under the 
trees, and chairs and small tables grouped in a way to 
suggest sociability. On each table have a pretty cover 
that will wash, and a vase or bowl of flowers, buttercups, 
daisies and clovers. 

There may be croquet and tennis, archery or a bean- 
bag contest for those who feel energetic, though where 
there are a lot of young people who have so many affairs 
of absorbing interest in common to talk over, there is no 
necessity of providing any social amusement. A dance 
on the lawn is delightfully picturesque, and an amateur 
fortune-teller in gypsy dress, who can predict interesting 
futures in keeping with the character and aspirations of 
the classmates she knows so well, adds much of interest 
and success to the afternoon. Refreshments are simple, 
as befits the hours, which are usually between 4 and 6 or 
5 and 7. There is a refreshing fruit punch, which is a 
strong lemonade, quite sweet, to which is added straw- 
berries, a can of pineapple, an orange sliced thin, and 
plenty of effervescent water; sandwiches (and, if wished, 
a salad), an ice or frappe, and small cakes. These are 
served from a large table by maids in black dresses, white 
caps and aprons, or, more informal still, the young girl 
friends of the boy or girl giving the party. 

Among the dainty sandwiches and cakes suited to a 
lawn party are the following: 



244 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



ROSE PETAL SANDWICHES. 

Flavor fresh unsalted butter, if you can get it, with 
rose, by packing in a closed vessel surrounded by a thick 
layer of rose-leaves. The more fragrant, the finer the 
flavoring imparted. Allow them to remain overnight. 
Cut the bread for these dainty sandwiches in thin strips 
or circles, spread each slice with the perfumed butter, and 
place several petals from fresh roses between the slices, 
allowing the edges to show. Sometimes angel cake is 
used, spread with jelly made from rose-leaves or orange 
marmalade. 

CHOCOLATE SANDWICHES. 

Grate the unsweetened chocolate, then sweeten to taste 
with sugar. Melt a little butter in a small saucepan, add' 
the chocolate to it, then take from the fire and cool. 
Moisten with a very little cream, plain or whipped, and 
spread between thin slices of white bread. 

RUSSIAN SANDWICHES. 

Chop some olives fine, and moisten with mayonnaise. 
Slice tender bread in thin narrow strips and spread one- 
half with the chopped olives and the other half with 
caviare. Press together and put in pairs. 

LETTUCE AND CHICKEN SANDWICHES. 

Cut thin slices of white bread, and butter. Cover 
with finely shredded, crisp lettuce, then a thin slice of 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 245 

boiled or roasted chicken. Cover with another thin sHce 
of buttered bread, press with a knife and cut in small 
oblongs, diamonds or other fancy shapes. 

GINGER SANDWICHES. 

Chop preserved ginger very fine, and moisten with the 
syrup until of spreading consistency. If liked, add a few 
chopped dates or figs to the paste. Spread between thin 
slices of white or brown bread, then cut in strips or 
circles. 

HICKORY NUT MACAROONS. 

Mix together one heaping cup nut meats chopped fine, 
one cup sugar, two well-beaten eggs, and five even table- 
spoonfuls flour. Drop on a paper-lined baking sheet, by 
the teaspoonful, and bake in a moderate oven. 

COCOANUT MACAROONS. 

Add to a scant cupful sifted flour, one cupful granu- 
lated sugar and two cupfuls of the best shredded cocoa- 
nut. Mix thoroughly, then fold into the mixture the 
whites of three eggs whipped to a stiff froth. Make into 
small flat cakes and bake in a slow oven until crisp and a 
delicate brown. 

A RURAL REPAST. 

If the picnic party is to include several families, or 
groups, it is far wiser to come to an amicable under- 



246 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

standing beforehand as to "who shall bring what." Other- 
wise, when gathered at the festal board on the lap of 
Mother Earth, there may be found a superfluity of sand- 
wiches and no cakes or relishes; or all ''tiny little kick- 
shaws" and no substantial. Almost every woman has a 
specialty, which is a good thing to consider when pooling 
gastronomic chef-d'oeuvres. 

The following bill of fare was enjoyed at one most suc- 
cessful outing: 

Lettuce and Mayonnaise Sandwiches. 

Swiss Cheese Sandwiches. 

Egg Rolls. 

Devilled Eggs. Pimolas. Pickles. 

Saratoga Chips. 

Nut Cake. Home-made Chocolate Fudge Cake. 

Peaches. Plums. Bananas. 

Home-made Blackberry Shrub. Lemonade. 

The shrub and lemon juice and sugar were in bottles, 
ready to be diluted with water from the park fountain, 
not far away. A small tin pail brought in a paper cereal 
box, but carried back in the emptied lunch basket, was 
the intermediary between table and fountain. 

The sandwiches were all moist and delicious. 

The lettuce sandwiches were made from the regular 
sandwich bread, cut thin and even, lightly buttered, two 
heart leaves of lettuce spread with mayonnaise as a fill- 
ing. These were all wrapped in paraffine paper. 

SWISS CHEESE SANDWICHES. 

These were made of whole wheat bread, lightly but- 
tered, then wafer-thin shces of Swiss cheese laid between 
the bread-covers. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 247 



EGG ROLLS. 

The finger rolls were split and buttered, then spread 
with the mashed and seasoned yolks left over from the 
devilled eggs. 

DEVILLED EGGS. 

There were a dozen of these, each wrapped in par- 
affine paper, and packed in one of the little egg boxes, 
divided into a dozen compartments. This proved an ad- 
mirable way of carrying them, as there was no chance of 
their being crushed. The eggs had been boiled exactly 
twenty minutes, the water drained off and cold water put 
on. After standing until cold, they were peeled, then cut 
in two crosswise, with a sharp knife, that left no ragged 
edges. As fast as cut, the yolks were pressed out into a 
pint bowl, and the two emptied halves placed together, so 
there would be no trouble in fitting ^'partners" when filled. 
After all were cut and emptied of the yolks, the latter 
were mashed with a fork until fine and crumbly, then 
seasoned with salt and paprika. A couple of tablespoon- 
fuls of mayonnaise, enough to moisten, came next, with 
just a dusting of fine minced parsley. ''Sometimes," 
explained the one who brought the eggs, ''I substitute 
melted butter and French mustard for the mayonnaise. 
Sometimes I use sauce tartare, and again a little thick 
cream to moisten, or a good seasoning of chopped pickles 
or olives. There is no hard-and-fast law about seasoning. 
After it is all smooth and creamy, each cavity of the egg 
halves is filled, scraped smooth with a thin-bladed knife, 



248 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

the two halves adjusted, skewered together with wooden 
toothpicks, then wrapped in paraffine paper." 

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE. 

This was most delicious, the fudge frosting being a 
comparatively new departure. 

The cake itself was a one-egg cake, baked in two layers. 
Beat to a cream one-half cup butter and one cup sugar. 
Add one egg beaten light, one cup of milk, in w^hich a half 
teaspoonful of soda is dissolved, tw^o cups flour, sifted 
with a teaspoonful cream of tartar, and a teaspoonful 
vanilla to flavor. 

The fudge frosting was used as a filling, and to spread 
over the cake, and was made as follows: Mix together 
thoroughly two cups granulated sugar and four teaspoon- 
fuls powdered cocoa, which is easier to manage than 
chocolate. Add two-thirds cup milk or cream, preferably 
milk, in which case use a tablespoonful and a half of 
butter also. With the cream a scant tablespoonful of 
butter is sufiicient. Put over the fire in a saucepan, 
where it will cook quickly. When it gets to a hard boil, 
push back, to simmer, until a little dropped in cold water 
turns waxy, but not brittle. After taking from the fire, 
beat until the right consistency for spreading. 

BLACKBERRY SHRUB. 

Pour over six quarts berries just enough cider vinegar 
to cover, and let them stand thirty-six hours. Wash and 
strain through cheese-cloth, squeezing hard to extract 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 249 

every particle of juice. Allow a pound of sugar to each 
pint of juice and boil just five minutes in a porcelain- 
lined kettle, then bottle and seal. When ready to serve, 
allow two tablespoonfuls of this shrub to each glassful 
of very cold water. Raspberries and black-caps are pre- 
pared in the same way. 



FOR A MOUNTAIN PICNIC. 

In preparing a picnic luncheon, the occasion and at- 
tendant circumstances must determine not only the 
character of the al fresco meal, but also the amount of 
camp equipage essential to its serving. The wheelman 
and pedestrian soon learn to dispense with everything 
but essentials, while the boating crew or mountain party 
may revel in such luxurious accessories as camp kettles, 
a bundle of dry kindling, hatchets, hampers, pails of ice, 
a chafing dish and dishes galore. 

When the start is to be made in the early morning, 
much of the work of preparation can be done overnight. 
The meat for the sandwiches may be chopped, eggs boiled 
and devilled, chickens broiled or fried, pickles and olives 
bottled, cakes or pies packed in pasteboard boxes, fruits 
selected and dishes set out for the morning packing. 

In' a summer home in the Catskills, where mountain 
picnics form a frequent and most enjoyable feature of the 
out-of-door life, the packing of the luncheon has been 
reduced to a science. A large biscuit box, that will slip 
under the driver's seat, has a cover on hinges and holes 
cut in the sides to serve as handles. This holds, by close 



250 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

packing, the plates, cups, knives, forks and spoons for 
eight or ten people, the big tin pan of broiled chickens, 
the great box of varied sandwiches, the pickles, olives 
and quart can of lemon juice and sugar ready for lemon- 
ade, boxes of devilled eggs, cakes and tarts. A six-quart 
tin pail supplements the box, and contains the fruit, 
which may afterward be emptied out and the pail used 
at the noonday halt to bring w^ater from the mountain 
spring. 

GOOD THINGS FOR THE HAMPER. 

If the time allotted for the noonday refection is ample, 
kettles and a frying pan are taken along, coffee is made, 
brook trout fried with crispy pork, potatoes are roasted 
or green corn boiled. If, as is often the case, the objec- 
tive point is at a distance, and the noon halt necessarily 
limited, the feast must be made ready in advance. 

The roll-call of edibles for eight vigorous mountain 
appetites is found to include forty small triangular sand- 
wiches, w4th fillings varied to taste, of chopped or seasoned 
meats, jam, chicken, veal or tongue, cream cheese and 
lettuce with salad dressing, anchovy or nasturtium leaves 
sprinkled with salt. Two broiled chickens, or one roasted 
fowd of generous proportions, are added, as well as a 
dozen devilled eggs, a quart bottle of pickles or olives, 
two boxes of sardines, with tw^o lemons to eat with them, 
the juice of a half dozen lemons for the lemonade, a loaf 
of home-made cake, cookies for solace on the journey and 
a two-quart can of coffee carefully seasoned. In addi- 
tion to individual cutlery there should be a sharp knife, 
a can-opener, a salt and pepper shaker and paper napkins. 



I 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 251 

Over the top of the box spread the picnic tablecloth, 
scrupulously clean, even if somewhat dilapidated. Fruit 
should always be provided according to the season, run- 
ning the gamut from cherries to grapes, with special 
deference paid the watermelon. 

HOMERIC KABAB. 

Over the camp fire all things are possible, but the kabab 
— a dish as old as Homeric days — is one to conjure with. 
Having made ready a glowing bed of coals, set up two 
notched sticks at either end and across this hang a withe 
of willows or other wood, strung with inch pieces of lamb 
or beef, alternating with slices of onion or eggplant. 
Keep this withe turning, spit fashion, until deliciously 
browned, and sending forth an aroma that would make 
the mouth of a wood nymph water. Season with salt 
and pepper and give thanks. 

CAMP COFFEE. 

Allow four tablespoonfuls coffee, mixed with half an 
tgg and the crushed shell, to one quart of water. Pour 
the cold water over the coffee in pail or pot, shake vig- 
orously and set on hot stones or hang on the crane. Allow 
it to come to a boil, boil rapidly four minutes, settle with 
two tablespoonfuls cold water, then serve. 

TO KEEP THE BUTTER COLD. 

Campers and picnickers often find it difficult to get ice, 
and in consequence their butter wanes before their eyes. 



252 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

The following expedient to keep that useful commodity 
intact has been proved successful : Procure an ordinary 
flower pot and saucer of any size preferred. See that 
it is thoroughly clean and dry. Take an ordinary glazed 
plate or dish, and on this place the earthenware saucer 
inverted. Fill the plate with cold water up to the top, 
but not over the saucer, and stand the flower pot over it 
to form the cooler. The hole at the top of the flower pot 
allows free access of air, and the porous sides of the 
pot, while they hold water, permit the air to pass through. 



PHILANTHROPIC FUNCTIONS. 

ROUND TABLE SUPPER. 

A STUDIO SUPPER recently given by a young artist in 
New York was made unusually lively and informal by 
the unique manner in which the hostess arranged that her 
guests should be served. 

A round table was selected, and directly above this 
a large wooden hoop was suspended by elastic bands from 
the chandelier. 

On this were hung small baskets containing olives, 
salted nuts, celery, etc., so that each guest could pull the 
hoop down to help himself. 

On the table were placed automatic toys — automobiles, 
trolley cars, etc. — containing favors on which were 
written the names of the guests. At the beginning of 
the supper these were wound up and started off, and the 
guest was requested to seat himself wherever the toy 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 253 

containing his name stopped. This, of course, created 
great merriment, and all f®rmality was immediately dis- 
persed. 

The "buttons" of the studio building was dressed up as 
a French maid, and was sole "waitress'' for the occa- 
sion. He was provided with a child's express wagon, in 
which he would bring in the various courses, each one 
helping himself as the wagon passed him. The courses 
were removed in the same manner, each guest placing his 
"debris" in the wagon. 

The repast was a very simple one, and the entertain- 
ment as a whole very inexpensive, yet the guests were 
unanimous in their expressions of the evening's real en- 
joyment. This seems to verify the old adage that "it's 
not the bread and butter, but the way it's spread," and 
the hostess who can imbue her hospitality with simplicity, 
individuality and originality is sure to be popular. 



NOVEL FEATURE FOR PUBLIC EUCHRE. 

To REPLACE the annual fair, which had become trite and 
tiresome through endless repetition, the six members of a 
church committee tried a new plan this year. A series of 
progressive whists or euchres was arranged in the parish 
hall, and each member became patroness of the affair for 
a single afternoon, inviting her special friends to sub- 
scribe for that date, and working generally to make it 
a success. 

Of course, any one buying a ticket was received and 
welcomed on any day of the series, but the fact that 



254 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

particular friends knew on what day to meet each other 
added to the pleasure. Each patron was allowed to select 
the game to be played on her special day. 



NEW IDEAS FOR CHURCH FAIRS. 

A MOTHER GOOSE FAIR. 

Have aides of both sexes costumed like the time- 
honored characters from ''Mother Goose/' and have them 
vend wares which are in keeping with their impersona- 
tions. For example, Mother Goose herself, costumed in 
peaked hat, short petticoat and high-heeled slippers, could 
preside over the toy booth with a special line of toy 
books, including the famous nursery rhymes. Her stall 
should be conspicuously placed as near the door or the 
center of the room as possible, an honor befitting the 
central figure. A little further on have the Queen of 
Hearts, selling various delicacies, amiong w^hich are some 
delicious tarts and tiny red candy hearts tied with baby 
ribbon. The Queen is dressed in white^ her skirt being 
decorated with red hearts cut from paper and pasted on 
the fabric. Her belt is of hearts graduated in size. She 
wears a gilt paper gown and a necklace of tiny hearts. 
At this same booth Simple Simon, dressed as a clown, 
helps dispense the good things, with special emphasis on 
generous slices of different kinds of pie. Of course, 
there will be a plump little Jack Horner, with an enor- 
mous sawdust pie containing gifts wrapped in tissue 
paper, which he sells by the spoonful. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 255 

Old King Cole is costumed in black robes with decora- 
tions of silver paper and a false beard. He sells the con- 
tents of his famous bowl (in this case lemonade). He 
also has in stock all kinds of smoking requisites — cigars, 
pipes, tobacco, ash trays, pipe racks and pouches for 
the fragrant weed. 

The flower booth will be in the fair hands of Mary, 
Quite Contrary, wearing a picturesque garden frock and 
a hat trimmed with flowers. ''Mistress Mary'' vends 
single flowers, bouquets of violets, arbutus or any bloom 
in season, as well as flowering potted plants, bulbs and 
seeds. 

Bo-peep has a stall devoted to dainty things in wool — 
pretty Iceland wool scarfs for evening wear, afghans, 
shawls, etc. Her booth should be decorated with boughs 
of green from which depend tiny woolly lambkins from 
the toy-shop, or sheep-tails made from raw cotton. She 
might vend also, as a novelty, articles done up in (cotton) 
wool in the form of tiny bales. Bo-peep wxars charm- 
ing eighteenth-century shepherdess dress, and carries a 
crook surmounted with a knot of artificial flowers and 
ribbon. 

Miss Muffett's stall is given up to a huge cobweb, made 
of shiny new wire, in which hang huge spiders made of 
brown tissue-paper, with large beads for eyes. In the 
bodv of each is a fortune written in rhvme and so worded 
that it is applicable to a purchaser of either sex. The 
patron pays five cents, which entitles him to draw from a 
box a ticket bearing a number. This number corresponds 
to that attached to some one of the spiders, which he then 
obtains. The fortune enclosed relates to the purchaser. 



256 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

Charming, too, will be the maid who is in the garden 
hanging out the clothes. Instead of a regulation stall this 
damsel has as her field of endeavor a square grass plot 
made with baize and toy-shop moss, or even with real sod. 
Across the green are stretched several strips of new 
clothes-line, with handkerchiefs and other dainty lingerie 
belongings attached with new clothes-pins. Each article 
is clearly marked with a price. 

A novel variation of the popular rummage sale could 
be arranged in connection with this feature, in the form 
of a large-sized laundry basket filled with miscellaneous 
white goods, to sell at a uniform price. 

Many other characters from the famous nursery rhymes 
can be developed in the same way, to meet the require- 
ments of a larger fair, but these examples will serve to 
illustrate the idea. If music is practicable, it might well 
be furnished by "the fiddlers three'' of his majesty King 
Cole, and if a special doll booth is wanted, nothing could 
be more attractive than a huge shoe full of them, at dif- 
erent prices, presided over by the old woman who ''had so 
many children she didn't know what to do." 

The Seven Ages Bazaar. 

That famous passage from *'As You Like It," in which 
the seven ages of man are sketched with such fidelity, 
makes, with some modern alterations, a splendid motif 
for a bazaar. By taking a few liberties with the Shake- 
spearean text, seven stalls or divisions can be evolved, 
each offering goods specially applisable to some particu- 
lar age in woman. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 257 



FIRST^ THE INFANT. 

Here all kinds of dainty baby belongings are in evi- 
dence, varying from rattles or rubber toys to afghans, 
caps, sacks, baby-pins, embroidered muslin pillows, cro- 
cheted coverlets, toilet baskets and hampers, soaps and 
powder, pincushions, bootees, standard infant foods, and 
the hundred and one other things required in the service 
of His Majesty Baby. 

THEN THE SCHOOLGIRL. 

This booth should be developed to include all the needs 
of school children. School bags, tablets, pencils, pens, 
ink — in fact, all kinds of school supplies — are shown, but 
the idea can be extended to embrace young folks' story 
books, games of various kinds, athletic supplies and 
favorite candies. The paper lunch-boxes, packed with 
school lunches, would meet with appreciation on the part 
of young and old. 

THEN THE STUDENT. 

This booth is given over to college goods. It includes 
college banners and pins, cushions, table scarfs, etc., 
worked in the colors of the local university or normal 
school. New books, framed pictures and photographs, 
cut flowers and chocolates by the pound, should also be 
included. 



258 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



THEN THE BRIDE. 

At this stall, articles suitable for wedding gifts are 
very appropriate. Framed sketches of the American girl 
as a bride, or books of pictures by popular illustrators, 
representing her in this lovely phase, are suitable. The 
little white bound ''bride books" intended for preserving 
relics of the wedding day, and diaries for the honeymoon 
entitled 'Their Wedding Journey/' should be in stock. 
Dinner cards with bridal motif, slippers, orange blos- 
soms, etc., are popular for engagement as well as wed- 
ding festivities. Rice or confetti in dainty receptacles. 
The list of articles in this booth is very wide. 

THEN THE MOTHER. 

Here charming framed groups of mother and child are 
sold, kindergarten toys, books on children (serious essay 
or humorous story), mother songs of all lands, aprons, 
kimonos, neckwear, sewing baskets, shoe and laundry 
bags, and sewer's "findings.'' 

THEN THE HOUSEWIFE. 

Household goods of every description are appropriate 
to this booth. They may include everything from tin- 
ware for the kitchen to tablecloths and toweling. Dish- 
towels and dusters will find a ready sale, and the homely 
scrubbing soaps and cleansing powders may be profitably 
displayed and easily sold. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 259 



LASTLY^ THE GRANDMOTHER. 

This should be a charming stall, with its hand-knit 
scarfs and neckties, its home-baked cakes, pure jams, pre- 
serves and pickles, maple sugar, baked beans, pepper-cab- 
bage and other such homely things, which will be en- 
thusiastically received. Little gifts in the way of com- 
forts for the elderly members of the family should be 
shown in variety — such as books in large type, footstools, 
foot-warmers, fleece-lined gloves and slippers, house- 
pockets and magnifying glasses. 



advertisers' sale. 



Letters are written to several hundred advertisers, 
whose wares represent the entire gamut of merchandise 
and edibles, requesting a consignment of goods to be sold 
for charity, with the understanding that they will be ex- 
tensively advertised. Sometimes advertisers are willing 
to supply printed matter to be distributed with the goods, 
and placards to be displayed above the booths where they 
are sold. 

Being obtained for nothing, the wares can be sold at 
ordinary market price or even below it, thus avoiding one 
of the great objections to charitable sales — the absurdly 
exorbitant rates demanded. Dress materials by the bolt, 
lace in large quantity, dictionaries or encyclopedias, silks, 
rugs, or anything of value, can sometimes be raffled off 
to better advantage than sold in the ordinary way. 



260 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



THE CROSS-ROADS GROCERY. 

If the hall is a small one, a broad counter may be 
built around three sides of it, after the fashion seen in 
country stores. Back of the counter place shelves divided 
off into small compartments. Arrange the different kinds 
of goods on these shelves, each in a separate compart- 
ment. In this way you will avoid confusion. Strew the 
floor with sawdust. 

A FAIRY BOOTH. 

This booth should be tended by boys costumed as little 
elves in true fairy green, with tall peaked caps. Boys of 
twelve and thirteen, able to sell articles and *'make 
change,'' are necessary to impersonate the fairies, but 
owing to their unusual costume they look much less 
than their actual height. 

The background of the booth may be banked with 
artificial branches, to which are tied nuts made of brown 
crinkly crepe paper, and containing the usual cheap prizes 
to be sold by the little gnomes. Sunk in the counter, and 
banked around with artificial vines, moss and leaves, have 
a tank of lemonade and various kinds of fairy edibles 
wholesome for children. The branches on one side of the 
booth only should be hung with the fairy nuts, but on the 
opposite side have the Lollipop Tree, with its charming 
name blazoned on a placard. This may be a huge branch 
covered with pink, white and yellow sugar plums in the 
form of stars, crescents, etc., caught into the green with 
wires to look as if they were growing there. Of course, 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 261 

these are sold to the visiting children at five or ten cents 
each. 

A HOLIDAY BOOTH. 

A booth for Christmas would have roast turkey, whole 
or sold in portions, cranberry jelly, pumpkin and mince 
pie, plum pudding, cake, candy, etc. Housekeepers who 
like to have the time-honored dainties, yet find the com- 
plete menu a task, gladly eke out the shortcomings of the 
larder by patronizing such a booth. The good things 
being solicited as donations from the best housewives of 
the community, are naturally of the highest quality, and 
should bring even more than the market prices. Green 
and scarlet crepe paper, with wreaths and sprays of holly 
and mistletoe, set off with tufts of cotton batting to look 
like snow, would be most attractive, and cost very little. 

For a Thanksgiving booth, decorations of yellow and 
green crepe paper, with garlands of tiny pumpkin lan- 
terns, either real or artificial, are extremely effective. Or 
corn, wheat and other harvest-home symbols can be inter- 
twined with artificial scarlet poppies (millinery or paper) 
with delightful effect. 

A DELICATESSEN BOOTH. 

Here cold edibles, already cooked or otherwise prepared 
for the table, are sold in small portions at so much a slice 
or a helping. The booth is arranged with shelves and a 
counter to simulate a shop, and is waited upon by a portly 
couple in aprons. On one side of the counter is a row 
of plates with knives, forks, spoons and paper napkins. 



262 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

The would-be purchaser helps himself to these, and after 
making a choice of edibles, retires to a small table to 
enjoy what he has bought, returning, if need be, to re- 
plenish his supply. 

THE CRYSTAL GAZER. 

Instead of the hackneyed gypsy or palmist, as a fortune- 
teller at fairs, the booth wherein the veil of the future is 
discreetly lifted for a modest coin is now occupied by a 
"Crystal Gazer/' the latest and most fascinating of seers. 
The gazer is sometimes a man, costumed as an Oriental, 
with flowing robes and turban, but sometimes a woman in 
Eastern dress. The crystal is the glass ball now sold in 
all Oriental shops, for the purpose, and supposed to 
possess magic properties. The balls can be had in any 
size, from that of an egg to one of six or eight inches in 
diameter. 

In order to read the future correctly, the seer begins by 
warming the crystal in his hands, when, after a certain 
number of minutes, pictures will begin to appear in it, 
visible to him alone. These pictures relate to the future 
of the fate-seeker, and by means of them the interpreter 
is enabled to describe with a certain degree of detail the 
appearance of persons of the opposite sex who will play 
important roles in the history of the subject. Other 
imaginary information of equal interest can, of course, 
be added at will. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 2G3 

SUGGESTIONS FOR A CHURCH SOCIAL. 

In planning for a church social, there is such a wide 
variation in ages, tastes, education and home environment 
to be taken into account, that the entertainment commit- 
tee necessarily finds itself confronted by a difficult prob- 
lem. In some churches the latitude allowed for amuse- 
ment is much wider than in others, and a play of local 
talent fills the bill acceptably. In others, anything savor- 
ing of ''theatricals'' under that name is tabooed, but dia- 
logues, tableaux or character impersonations are enjoyed. 

Following in the politic footsteps of Paul, who said, 
''If meat make my brother to ofifend, I will eat no meat/' 
it is best to forego anything rather than offend one of 
the least of these, the brethren. 

An old-time district or singing school, or an old-fash- 
ioned spelling match, usually gives plenty of fun for all. 

"A Create Singing Meetinge," where ye old folks of 
1776, or thereabouts, did themselves proud, was recently 
held at a State normal school in the West, and scored a 
great success. 

The programme was so full of excellent suggestions for 
a similar entertainment that I make extracts from it: 

'*Ye doors v/ill be open at half-past seven of ye clock, 
when ye new-fangled lighting candles will be lighted, 
Providence permitting. 

"Hereinbelow is gaven a lyste of ye names of ye musik- 
aners, to wit : Ye head t3^mest, Jonathan Lycurgus John- 
ston and his singing class; ye harpischordists, Mistress 



264 Book of Parties and Pastivies 

Green Irish and Mistress Malinda Triphena Johnson; 
solow fiddler, Herr Karl Christian Schmidt; also Mau- 
rice HemingAvay Blome (if his rheumatiz will let him 
come), and Fidelia Bellamy and Lemuel Consolation 
Corbell." 

FOUR PART TUNES BY YOUNG WOMEN. 

"Four Young Women will sing four part tunes — if ye 
young menne waiting on them can get them to ye Halle 
in time— Leonora Christina Schmidt, Lucy Olivia Griffin, 
Irma Ophelia Schmidt and Ellen Margaret Blome. 

*'Maria Alice Hough will sing a tymely song (if her 
cough is better). 

*'N. B. — ^Ye singing class of young menne and maidens 
are too bashful to have their names seen in print.'' 

At the conclusion of ''Ye First Halfe,'' according to the 
programme, a rest for the following purpose was given: 
"A reste will now be taken to let ye singers breathe and 
allow ye people to enquire of their nabors. Ye young 
menne can now aske ye maydense to their company 
home." 

"P. S. — Ye actions of ye young menne and maydense 
will be observed by Dominie Abner Jehosaphat Matthews, 
and any levity, sparkinge or other unseemlie conduct will 
be taken note of and publicly reproved in due course of 
time." The second half of the entertainment was equally 
as pleasing as the first, and concluded with the closing 
song by the entire chorus, in which the audience was 
asked to join, 'The Dearest Spot on Earth is Home, 
Sweet Home." 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 265 



grandmother's album performance. 



Another successful entertainment in a Connecticut 
church was called ''Grandmother's Album." A young 
woman dressed in old-time garb impersonated a dear old 
grandmother showing her album to friends. A large 
frame was covered with red cloth and had a hinged cover 
resembling a large book. As the cover swung back, pic- 
tures representing scenes and characters from ''Wayback'' 
were introduced and explained with great minutia. This 
gave a fine chance for witty anecdotes and historical facts 
connected with individuals and the town's early history. 

Amiong the pictures were the old church choir, taken 
singing books in hand, the ancient parson and wife, dea- 
cons and sextons, members of the sewing circle, and a 
large number of ''grandma's relatives." It is needless to 
state that the pictures were "living," made up for the 
occasion. 

waxworks are amusing. 

History told in tableaux proved extremely interesting 
last winter at a parlor entertainment. 

Those who took part in the tableaux were in costume, 
while many of the men and women who did not take part 
affected the early Dutch and Colonial dress. The pro- 
gramme began with a "Song of Freedom" by the entire 
company. This was written expressly for this circle, but 
could be replaced by "The Star Spangled Banner" or 
"America." The general subject for the evening was 



266 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

''Emancipation/' and the programme was divided into 
three parts. 

Part I was devoted to the ''Emancipation by Washing- 
ton from the Yoke of British Tyranny/' Part II was of 
the "Emancipation by Lincoln from the Yoke of Slavery," 
and the third was "The Emancipation by Christianity 
from the Yoke of Heathenism." 

Among the characters represented were Cornwallis, 
Powhatan, Pocahontas, An Indian Maid, Abraham Lin- 
coln, Lafayette, Columbus, Peter Minuet, Jefferson 
Davis, William Penn, etc. 



SUCCESSFUL CHURCH SUPPERS. 

AN INTERNATIONAL SUPPER. 

A SUCCESSFUL means of raising money, discovered by 
an urban church committee, was an international supper. 

The hall was hung Vvdth the flags of all nations in grace- 
ful groupings, and decorated with photographs and other 
views of foreign countries. 

The supper was a buffet affair, served at two tables 
representing, respectively, the Eastern and Western 
hemispheres. 

Each viand represented, by its name or nature, some 
country or part of the world, and from the dish itself 
waved a miniature flag of the nation in question. 

The dishes were as follows: 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 267 

German Coffee-cake. Boston Baked Beans. 

Wienerwurst. Japanese Rice Wafers. 

Mocha and Java Coffee. 

English Roast Beef. 

Oolong Tea. Japan Tea. 

Irish Potatoes (baked). 

Philadelphia Scrapple. 

Scotch Oatmeal Cakes. Italian Macaroni. 

Turkish Delight. 

French Pot au feu (bouillon). 

Pfeffernusse. Maryland Biscuit. 

Chinese Chop-suey. Spanish Olla Podrida. 

The entrance fee of seventy-five cents entitled the 
patron to his choice of the different viands, and as much 
of each as he could consume with comfort. 

Guests helped themselves, as at an evening refreshment. 
Plates and fresh silver were obtained as required from 
a nearby buffet. 

A NATIONAL SUPPER. 

A picturesque variation of the international supper is 
one where only Uncle Sam's domain is represented, and 
the dishes are all of American origin or nomenclature. 
From every corner of the board, surmounting the dif- 
ferent dishes, wave tiny American flags. Among the na- 
tional dishes possible to such a feast are : 

Maryland Fried Chicken with Carolina Rice. 

Philadelphia Scrapple. 

Boston Brown Bread. Boston Baked Beans. 

California Grapefruit. 

Virgina-cured Ham. 

New England Maple Sugar. 

Chesapeake Oysters. 

Atlantic City Fudge. Florida Oranges. 

Chicago Beef (cold roast). 

Lady Baltimore (cake). 

Indian-meal Muffins. 



268 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



CONUNDRUM CHURCH SUPPER. 

Yet another jolly plan for a church supper, particularly 
one arranged on a rather smaller scale than the foregoing, 
is based upon an amusing conundrum menu. Each guest 
at the table is furnished with a written or printed bill of 
fare on which every edible is represented in riddling form. 
The participant must order his supper by means of the 
riddles, either by, or without guessing the meaning of 
each. 

Opposite every item on the menu is the price, patrons 
paying a la carte for whatever they order. Examples of 
the dishes in riddle form arc: 



Son of Noah in Thin Slices, 5 cents portion (Ham). 

Coldcut Talker, 5 cents portion (Tongue). 

Maid of Orleans, 1 cent (Molasses Taffy). 

Sorceresses of the Dessert, 5 and 10 cents (Sandwiches). 

Spinster's Solace, 2 cents (Tea). 

Golden Nuggets in White Jewel Cases, 5 cents each (Eggs 

any style). 
Taken in Winter and a Letter, 3 cents (Coffee). 
A Mischievous Young Goat, 2 cents (Butter). 
Turns Over and Over, 5 cents (Rolls). 
The First Temptation, baked, 3 cents (Apples). 
Uncomfortable Predicaments, jumbled, 2 cents (Mixed 

Pickles). 
Nuts That Never Grew, 1 cent apiece (Doughnuts). 
Absorbent Marine Dainty, 2 cents apiece (Sponge Cake). 

Each person having ordered a dish by conundrum, was 
obliged to accept the dainty it called for whether success- 
fully guessed or not, as no mistakes were rectified by the 
serving committee. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 269 

A RUBBERING PARTY. 

A GIRL who Is always originating new things, sent out 
little notes of invitation asking her friends to a "Rubber- 
ing Party." The missives were worded in the usual way 
except that at the bottom of each sheet were found the 
words, "Admittance, some old rubber — overshoes, worn- 
out mackintoshes, rubber gloves, et cetera.'' The name 
sounded slangy, but the affair didn't prove so. The 
hostess had discovered that there was a sale for old rub- 
ber, and she had simply taken this means of collecting for 
her pet charity. When we had all deposited our burden 
in the center of the parlor floor it made a goodly heap, 
which was afterward sold. We had games and refresh- 
ments. 

YELLOW CAT PARTY. 

The invitation note sheets have wee yellow cats instead 
of a monogram or crest, and invitees are told that the 
gathering is for a charitable purpose, "with charity at a 
fifty-cent limit for each person." The yellow cat is one 
of those delightful felines in saffron-colored "poster pot- 
tery," which the shops sell for match boxes, cigar ash 
holders and the like. The fun of the evening con- 
sists of a series of forfeit games, which may be new 
or old according to the fancy of the hostess. Instead of 
expiating his mistake by imitating an animal or other 
absurd performance, the player "feeds the cat"; that is, 
he drops one cent into the opening in the head of the por- 



270 Booh of Parties and Pasiiines 

celain puss. No player is required to pay more than fifty 
forfeits during the evening. If he makes no mistakes he 
does not pay anything. There are two prizes. The player 
who has contributed most generously to charity receives 
the first award, because, the hostess explains, ^'Charity is 
rewarded tenfold." The second prize goes to the player 
who has least blunders to his account. Players are, of 
course, not informed of this merry little trick to be prac- 
ticed in the distribution of rewards. 



LOAN EXHIBIT FOR CHARITY. 

About one of the most satisfactory ways of raising 
money for a charitable purpose is the ''Loan Exhibit of 
Curiosities." 

For this every one interested in the good work is asked 
to contribute — not a cake or a bit of fancywork or money, 
but the family heirloom, for a limiited length of time. 

An affair of this kind, recently given, proved an im- 
mense success, and reaped a substantial harvest of dimes 
and dollars for the philanthropic object in aid of which 
it was given. 

A large number of women had a hand in the good 
work, for there were many departments, and each was 
in charge of a committee of twelve persons. In this way 
some of the committee could be in attendance at each 
afternoon and evening session, and no one feel burdened. 
It was necessary to have many and able solicitors in 
order that the requisite number of articles, and the right 
kind, should be obtained. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 271 

Each solicitor or exhibitor agreed to bring- two or more 
friends, paying the admission price of ten cents. 

Curiosities were gathered for one department, illustrat- 
ing the dress and furnishings of different periods more or 
less remote ; these were displayed on forms or pinned to 
lines and about the walls. 

Ladies in attendance were gowned in ancient costumes, 
and had their hair arranged to correspond. 

Some historical characters were represented where they 
could be w^ell carried out, and the resemblances were 
striking in some cases. 

Flax-spinning and other ancient customs were illus- 
trated, and photographs were taken of the different tab- 
leaux, which were sold as souvenirs. 

Another department displayed ancient dishes and pew- 
ter ware. An especially interesting feature was the art 
department, which exhibited valuable pictures, as well as 
portraits of prominent residents of the city. 

The Oriental tea room proved very popular, and be- 
sides the articles loaned, such as embroideries, screens, 
fans, etc., there were tea, rice cakes and a consignment of 
Japanese w^ares for sale. 

In another department there were displayed ancient 
books and documents, old flint-lock muskets, a Continental 
uniform and some antique foreign articles. 

A consignment, of fine china and art goods was secured 
from a large establishment on very favorable terms, and 
the unsold articles were returned. 

During the afternoon and evening of each day, ice- 
cream and home-made cake were sold; but perhaps the 
most profitable feature of the enterprise was the candy 



272 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

booth. Here both home-made candy and that of the best 
makers was constantly on sale; and in order to have it 
fresh, different people had been solicited to make it for 
each day, besides which a considerable amount was made 
by the young girls in attendance during the forenoon. 



A REAL CANDY BOOTH. 

The candy booth at a recent fair, as pretty as it was 
novel, had a roof supported by six huge sticks of old- 
fashioned red-and-white candy made by winding wooden 
poles with strips of red and white cotton goods. The 
roof itself was of peanut-brittle (over a more solid 
foundation of wood), in sloping Queen Anne style, very 
picturesque. 

From this hung a fringe of popcorn balls, alternating 
white and pink. Penny slot-machines, which disbursed 
candy and hard chocolate, were rented as an attraction for 
the evening, and proved very popular. 

A novelty much appreciated by the children was pep- 
permint dolls — that is, sticks of peppermint candy with 
features colored on at one end, dressed in tissue-paper 
hats and gowns. These sold at five cents apiece. 

The plan of the candy grab-bag, too, was new and very 
funny. It was filled with paper-covered candies, and the 
regulation was that each child, on paying five cents, put 
in his or her hand and obtained as much candy as the 
hand could hold. Very little people were allowed to let 
mother "grab*' for them. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 273 

A COMPOSITE TEA. 

Another successful combination of charitable intent 
and social event was carried out in the same neighbor- 
hood, and called a ^'Composite Tea." A wealthy member 
of the community kindly proffered his spacious garden 
for the purpose, and in some chosen corner of this each 
of the six most popular women of the neighborhood gave 
a private open-air tea — simultaneously, of course. 

Each hostess issued her own invitations and invited her 
own receiving committee. She erected a tent or booth, 
proving tables and seats exactly as for an ordinary garden 
affair. The refreshments, whatever she elected to pro- 
vide, were retailed by her pretty assistants at so much 
the plate or cup. Fancy articles of various kinds, as well 
as books and flowers, were offered for sale, and quite a 
little was realized in this way, although it was under- 
stood that an examination of the goods entailed no obli- 
gation whatever to buy. When her guests had been duly 
entertained in her own portion of the grounds they 
visited, in the company of their hostess, the other teas, 
lunching and purchasing wherever inclined to do so. 

Admission was all by invitation, no fee being charged, 
and the sole revenue being derived from the edibles and 
fancywork. These two, however, brought in an amount 
which fully repaid the work of this unique Composite Tea. 

CHINA CHECKS. 

The system of ''China Checks'' was the happy thought 
of some bright New York charity devotees. They intro- 



274 Booh of Parties and Pastirnes 

duced it at a successful fair given in aid of an open-air 
charity. The idea was this : Any purchaser of refresh- 
ments was given a yellow card or check for each piece of 
cliina served to him during the course of the supper 
ordered. Thus he obtained one check for each cup, an- 
other for a saucer, one for every plate, one for every 
tumbler, and so on. Even the purchaser of a glass of 
lem.onade and a sandwich was entitled to two tickets, one 
of them for his glass and one for the sandwich plate. 
Twenty checks entitled the holder to a present or ''prize.'' 
These presents v/ere wrapped in white paper and tied with 
ribbon. Each premium winner selected one from the 
table without knowing what the package contained. As 
all of the prizes had been donated for the purpose, no 
expense v/as incurred by this feature, and no prize-winner 
received anything cheap or tawdry. Some of the bundles 
contained dainty cups and saucers, vases, pitchers, 
candlesticks, and other articles in china. Others revealed 
pin-cushions, pin trays, bureau boxes and similar pretty 
things. Other ideas w^ere ladies' collarettes, men's pipe 
racks, pen-knives, ink-stands and the like. 



FLAG-RAISING FOR CHARITY. 

A NEW version of the popular "Tag- Day" as a means of 
raising funds for local charity, was discovered by a large 
town in the Middle States. They made it a 'Tlag- 
Raising." The enterprise lasted an entire week. During 
that time, pretty girls, carrying United States flags on 
long wands, patrolled the streets and waylaid pedestrians, 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 275 

either afoot or in vehicles, inviting them to purchase tiny- 
flag badges to pin on gown or coat. These badges were 
sold for whatever the purchaser offered, anything from 
a nickel or a dime to a dollar being accepted. When any 
passer-by was seen to be wearing one of the flags, he or 
she w^as not, of course, "held up." 



A FOOD SHOW. 

An original plan for raising money for charitable pur- 
poses, which proved highly successful in a large town of 
the Middle States, was a food show. The committee suc- 
ceeded in interesting a number of manufacturers of stand- 
ard food products in their good work, influence of friends 
being brought to bear, as well as several successful appli- 
cations to advertising agents. These firms all sent ex- 
hibits w^ith the understanding that they should be well 
advertised while being sold, the proceeds to go toward 
the philanthropy under consideration. Advertisements 
and placards were in some cases furnished for the pur- 
pose. The committee constructed the booths and deco- 
rated them tastefully. At each stall were a couple of fair 
aides dressed as demonstrators in a costume suggestive 
of the article sold. Thus, a Holland dress for a Dutch 
brand; a French costume for a dainty toilet soap, etc. 
These young women demonstrated the goods when this 
was necessary, gave away free samples and sold the retail 
article. 

In addition to the manufactured articles there were 
booths where home-made products, from jams, jellies and 



276 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

pickles to rolls and cake, were sold. The various brands 
of coffee and tea were sold by the cup. Tables were pro- 
vided for those who wished to enjoy a picnic luncheon on 
the scene. 

Patrons seemed to enjoy the change from the usual 
fair or church supper, and the net proceeds greatly 
exceeded the hopes of the promoters and the energetic 
committee. 

PARTIES FOR GIRLS, OLD AND YOUNG. 

A FUDGE FROLIC. 

The invitation asked each girl to bring a pan of her 
favorite fudge: chocolate, nut, maple, vanilla, whatever 
its flavor might be. A committee of three girls, relations 
of the hostess, who did not enter into the competition, 
pronounced upon the articles submitted, and awarded two 
prizes for the two most successful entries. The hostess 
then distributed a number of little leather-bound note- 
books having the words ''Candy Cookery" in gilt upon the 
cover. Each fudge-maker was asked to write down in 
her book the prize-winning recipe and the formulas for 
any other flavor which might have appealed to her taste. 
While the recipes were being copied, the contents of the 
various fudge pans were enjoyed by the company. Some 
lively contests followed, with boxes of fudge as rewards 
for the most successful competitors. For one of these 
games, half sheets of note paper and nicely sharpened 
pencils were distributed. Five minutes was allowed in 
which to write down the largest number of synonyms for 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 277 

candy that one could think of. Such words as "sugar- 
plum/' "sweetmeat," et cetera, were the nouns required 
by the game. For another bout the names of different 
kinds of candy — everything from yellow jack to French 
nougat — had been transformed to form words, sentences, 
or merely jumbled groups of letters. Fifteen minutes 
was allowed for disentangling these. The longest list 
disentangled in that time won a gift for the puzzler 
making it. 



A FLOWER LUNCHEON FOR YOUNG GIRLS. 

Young girls are delightfully easy to entertain because 
they are responsive and appreciative. With pretty deco- 
rations, simple but dainty refreshments, and a hostess 
who does not show a line of worry in her face, your 
party will be a success. 

Girls like pretty ornamentations, and a flower luncheon 
will appeal to them. 

With a green dining-room, candelabra, shades, etc., you 
can combine white, yellow or pale pink. Daffodils and 
jonquils, tulips and pussy willows, or a little later the fra- 
grant pink arbutus, can be used in combination, or one 
kind may be used exclusively. At a charming college 
luncheon last year, the tables had centerpieces of ferns, 
then pansies, purple and gold, sprinkled carelessly over 
the cloth. Violets would answer the same purpose, or 
the wood hepaticas, if one can get them. 

For place-cards, one can have water-color paper deco- 
rated with the flower or fern one has choseii, and on 



278 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

each an appropriate quotation. If one does not care to 
have the flowers all alike, suit them individually to each 
guest. For instance, for a girl named Margaret, there 
would be the daisy, with either of these quotations : 

*'Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flow'r." 

— Burns, 
For a Violet, or a girl with violet eyes : 

''A violet by a mossy stone, 
Half hidden from the eye ; 
Fair as a star when only one 
Is shining in the sky." 

— Wordsworth. 

For a Rose, or a very queenly girl : 

"Queen of the rosebud garden of girls." 

— Tennyson. 
Or, 

*'0, my love's like a red, red rose. 
That's newly sprung in June!" 

— Burns. 

For Lillian there are many beautiful quotations. For 
the girls whose names do not suggest flowers, their ap- 
pearance or characteristics may be called upon for sug- 
gestions as to an appropriate flower. 

A dainty menu for the luncheon might be as follows : 
Grapefruit with a strawberry in the center, or a slice of 
orange on a pretty plate, mounded high with powdered 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 279 

sugar, and about it a circle of strawberries with stems 
and hulls. This is new and pretty and appetizing. For 
the next course serve bouillon in cups, with tiny bread- 
and-butter sandwiches cut in stars or flower shapes. Then 
salmon timbales, or omit this and serve chicken croquettes 
or sweetbread and mushroom patties. Lamb chops en 
casserole with peas, potatoes and carrots could be the sub- 
stantial course, followed by lettuce and asparagus salad, 
vinaigrette dressing, then ice-cream baskets with straw- 
berries or ice-cream served in tiny flower pots with grated 
chocolate over the top to simulate earth, and a bit of 
maidenhair fern sticking in the pot. Ices in regular 
flower shapes are also dainty, and can be ordered from 
the caterers or packed at home. The fancy cakes that go 
with this course would be frosted and decorated with 
candied violets and rose-leaves, and chocolate could close 
the luncheon, instead of the cofifee that older persons 
prefer. 

A simple two-course luncheon would be chicken salad, 
with delicate sandwiches or biscuit, pineapple sherbet, 
with little cakes and chocolate. 

There are a number of flower games, any one of which 
w^ould be appropriate. For instance, have ready lists of 
questions for each one to answer, with prizes for the one 
who does the best. The prize can be a growing plant in 
a jpretty jardiniere, a rose vase or a bunch of violets. If 
you choose the planting game your questions might be as 
follows : 

If I plant my foot what would come up? A lady- 
slipper. 

If I plant a boat what might spring up? Leeks. 



280 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

If I plant a menagerie what birds, beasts and reptiles 
would come up? Adder's tongue, dandelion, snake root, 
wolf's bane, foxglove, pussy willows, larkspur, ragged 
robin. 

If I plant a theologian what will come up? Jack-in- 
the-Pulpit. 

If I plant a history what will come up? Dates. 

If I plant a lively boy what will come up? Johnny 
jump up. 

If I plant a bee what will come up? A honeysuckle. 

If I plant a baby what will come up ? Infant's breath. 

If a cow is planted what will come up? Milkv/eed 
and cowslip. 

If I plant a rich young bachelor what will spring up ? 
Matrimony, or perhaps a bleeding heart. 

Many other questions and answers of the same nature 
can be thought up. 

LEAP YEAR ENTERTAINMENT. 

The poppy is the flower to conjure with in planning a 
leap year party. In sending out your invitations, select a 
poppy valentine or postcard, or write your invitation on a 
blank card with a pen-and-ink or water-color sketch of 
a poppy in the corner. Append to your invitation, writ- 
ten in the usual form, "Escorts and chaperons provided." 

For the centerpiece of your table have a group of three 
pots of the artificial poppies that may be secured in paper 
or department stores. Radiate from these scarlet ribbon 
runners or strings of small red paper hearts, terminating 
at each gentleman's plate. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 281 

On top of the poppies, lightly perched or held in place 
by invisible wire or ribbons coming down from the chan- 
delier, have a pretty paper or china doll, dressed in fluffy 
ballet dress, that holds in its hands a tiny pennant in- 
scribed ''Our turn." 

WOMEN TAKE INITIATIVE. 

It goes without saying that at the leap year party the 
women take the initiative. They should assist the gentle- 
men in taking off their wraps, see to it that they are 
comfortably seated out of any chance draught, escort and 
seat them at the table, holding doors open for them to pass 
through, and finally offer to see them home. 

It is indeed an admirable opportunity to show by ex- 
ample all the little delicate courtly attentions that women 
appreciate, but not all men know how to show. 

UNIQUE LEAP YEAR CONTESTS. 

In a leap year party, contests are in order, pitting one 
sex against the other. Let the men be detailed to thread 
needles, so many a minute, and the women to roll um- 
brellas. The men to make buttonholes or trim hats and 
the women to drive nails. Ask each man to write out his 
favorite recipe for making cake or salad, and the wom.en 
to give a speech on campaign issues. 

For prizes, these will surely be appreciated. Give the 
man a neatly stocked workbox, suiting its contents to a 
lone bachelor's needs, and for the woman a small chest of 
tools that she can use for the hundred and one little 



282 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

'"jobs" that frequently come her way, and for which she 
is seldom properly equipped. 

A progressive proposal game is also a feature of many 
leap year parties. Cosey corners with just room for two 
are arranged all over the house, and in each a young man 
is seated, first being presented with a fan to hide his 
blushes, a number of mittens cut from cardboard, and one 
ring. 

Now the girls have their '"innings," progressing from 
booth to booth and popping the question in each one, in 
any way that seems most appropriate. 

Her answer comes in the shape of either the ring or 
the mitten. At a recent affair of this sort the brother of 
the hostess was provided with nothing but rings (this, of 
course, sub rosa), so that none of the fair proposers 
should feel slighted in being left out entirely. 

Appropriate prizes are awarded the most popular girl 
who has the greatest number of rings to show for her 
campaign, and a consolation pair of mittens for the one 
who has received the most ''tumdowns." If preferred, a 
turned-down collar can be substituted for the mittens or 
gloves. 

If cards are played, there are leap year score cards. Or 
the ever amusing hat contest could be arranged. 

Provide for the game as many hats as you expect 
gentlemen. Buy bargain hats for five or ten cents, trim 
them yourself with paper flowers and ribbons. Attach 
to some of them puff, frizzes and curls of hair, and fit 
each boy with a hat. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 283 

A PROGRESSIVE BUBBLE PARTY. 

While a very old favorite, the ''Bubble Party" con- 
tinues one of the best we have. 

It can be arranged with equal success for the young- 
sters or grown-ups, and great diversity is possible in ar- 
ranging the contests. A programme including some of 
the best of these is given below : 

There are several ways of preparing the invitations 
with dainty effect. For one, they can be written on tinted 
paper embodying the prismatic tints of the bubbles, which 
are easily applied with a water-color brush. 

Or use large-sized cards, across the top of which you 
have sketched a couple of soap bubble pipes crossed and 
tied with a bow of baby ribbon. 

Or, for an adult company simply use a visiting card 
and write Soap Bubble or Bubble Tournament in a cor- 
ner, with the date, hour and place. Little folk's invitations 
might include a request to come wearing school aprons. 

The hostess provides in advance a quantity of tissue- 
paper caps, which must be of different tints, each hue 
being in equal numbers. 

As the guest arrives he or she is tricked out in a tissue- 
paper cap, short hatpins being on hand to skewer on those 
of the feminine contingent. 

Pink and blue make a pretty choice, although any other 
preferred can be substituted by the individual hostess. 

When all have arrived, a small hand-bell summons the 
company to attention, and each boy is told to secure a 
girl for his partner. The choice must be made among 



284 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

those wearing one's own color. Bubble pipes, decorated 
with ribbon of the same tints, are distributed at the same 
time. 

Small tables have been provided as for cards, and ir 
the center of each of these stands a bowl of foamy suds. 

Over the table most prominently placed, say that in the 
center of the room, hangs a huge wreath of tissue-paper 
flowers. 

Over each table, for a children's party, a grown-up 
umpire presides, watching the contest closely, and decid- 
ing any points of dispute which may arise. 

At the first table the fun lies in seeing who can blow 
the largest bubble, turns being taken from right to left. 
Three minutes is allowed. 

At the second table, partners blow in pairs — that is, 
pipes are held together and two pipes form the same 
bubble. 

Let players at the third table see how high they can 
force their bubbles, the supreme feat being to touch the 
ceiling. 

For the fourth round let the players ascertain how 
many bubbles can be produced by dipping the pipes a 
single time in the suds. The greater the number, the 
larger one's success. 

At the center table the bubblers are called on k) test 
their skill in blowing bubbles through the wreath of 
flow^ers. 

A very pretty system of scoring the points of the play- 
ers at each table, consists in tying a wee ribbon bow to 
the pipe-stem of the successful contestant. 

This must, of course, be in his or her own color as 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 285 

represented by the cap worn. The players so distinguished 
pass on to succeeding tables, leaving the losing ones to 
*'try again," next round. 

Instead of having long rounds, let the time be short, 
the children making the circuit of the tables three times 
or more before the prize is decided. 

This last is done by counting the colored bows on the 
pipe-stems. The soap bubble outfits, which are now sold 
already prepared in attractive boxes, make an excellent 
choice for children's prizes. The grown-ups, when the 
party is arranged for such, could receive flower vases or 
bowls in delicate glass. 

Consolation prizes might be boutonnieres of violets for 
the men, and wee pots of blossoming hyacinths for the 
girls. 

As the progressive bubbling will not occupy the entire 
evening for the average entertainer, a tournament might 
be inaugurated as a new feature of the fun. 

Here, a length of rope (the clothes-line will serve) is 
swung across the room. Tables holding bowls of suds 
are placed near at hand. 

Each player receives at the same time an inexpensive 
Japanese fan. 

Range those with blue head-dresses on one side, those 
wearing pink opposite. Station all in straight lines three 
feet apart. 

When the signal is given, all on one side endeavor to 
blow bubbles over the heads of the opponents, who try 
equally hard to waft them back with the fan. 

The round lasts five minutes, after which the opponents 
have their innings. An umpire is necessary in order to 



286 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

decide various questions — notably the oft-recurring one, 
on which side of the line a bubble bursts. 

The side forcing the greatest number of bombshells 
over the enemy's lines is, of course, winner. 

Candy pipes are appropriate trophies for a juvenile 
entertainment. Inexpensive scarf and stick pins might be 
distributed among the members of a victorious adult 
division. 

A SHAKESPEARE BIRTHDAY ENTERTAIN- 
MENT. 

A DELIGHTFUL little plan for an April party is to ar- 
range it for the twenty-third of the month — making it a 
Shakespeare Birthday affair. Shakespeare students will 
remember that the great man was born in the month of 
April, probably on the date mentioned. The foundation 
of the entertainment is a series of puzzles based upon the 
immortal dramas, and of a nature which old and young 
will enjoy. 

The first puzzle game is played with cards improvised 
by the hostess especially for the occasion. The '*pack'' 
contains forty-eight cards. Carte de visite size is best for 
the purpose. 

Each four cards are made to represent one of the great 
dramas. Each card in a group of four bears the name 
of a character in the book represented. 

THE CARDS. 

Thus, the cards representing 'Twelfth Night" have 
written upon them the names of Sir Toby Belch, Viola, 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 287 

MalvoHo and Olivia. For "As You Like It," Rosalind, 
Orlando, Touchstone and Audry could figure. 

Names of heroes or persons giving the title to the book 
— for example, Macbeth — should not be chosen, as this 
renders the guessing too easy. 

All cards are thoroughly shuffled before beginning the 
game. They are now divided equally among all those 
present. The aim of each player is to get possession of as 
many of the books as possible. In order to secure one or 
all he must be acquainted with, or at least guess correctly, 
the dramatis personce of each play. 

When he receives his share of the cards the player 
examines them, and if he finds any complete book, lays it 
aside. When no one can form further books from the 
cards in hand the drawing begins. Each persons draws 
from the hand of his left-hand neighbor. If, by this 
drawing, he should form a book, it is laid aside. When 
all cards in the pack have been formed into books, the 
game is at an end. Then follows the counting of the 
books. Each book correctly formed counts one point 
toward the prize. Any incorrect book causes the player 
to lose five points. It is, of course, the person having 
most points when accounts are settled up who wins the 
prize. A book of Shakespeare quotations makes an inter- 
esting gift in this connection. 

FOR A LARGER PARTY. 

In case of a large party, the forty-eight cards will 
hardly be sufficient. The game can be rendered more 
available by adding more books. When the list of books 



288 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

is exhausted, it can be further increased by enlarging the 
books themselves. Each book can contain eight cards, 
representing eight characters prominent in the story. 

The second feature of the evening is a fascinating 
puzzle contest called the ^'Shakespeare Medley." For it 
seat your company around a table on which are placed a 
number of small objects, which, when correctly guessed, 
will give the names of famous characters in the dramas. 
The puzzlers inspect the objects on the table — this may, 
if preferred, be done walking — and write down the 
names as they suppose them to be. A lucky guess counts 
one point gained, an unlucky one two points lost; so 
that indiscriminate guessing is not to be indulged in. 
Here are a handful of suggestions for representing the 
characters : 

THE PUZZLES. 

A stone with a placard marked ''Feel It," Touchstone. 
An olive in a saucer with the letters A and E, Olivia. A 
picture of Niagara with a staff cut, or imitated, from 
music, Falstaff. A picture of Queen Anne and a page 
from an old magazine, Anne Page. A picture of Rome 
and the letters O and E, Romeo. A picture of Romeo 
and the letter D written upon it somewhere, Dromio. A. 
statuette or other representation of Michael Angelo gives 
Angelo in "Measure for Measure." A handful of old- 
fashioned jackstraws gives (jacks), Jacques. A bee in 
imitation jewelry and the word "at" written upon a card 
with a little rice scattered over them, Beatrice. A statue 
of George slaying the dragon, or of any celebrated war- 
rior, suggests Hero. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 289 

THe man or girl who is most successful in working out 
the hidden names receives a Shakespeare calendar. 

The motif of the evening can be suggested in half a 
hundred ways throughout the supper that follows. Favors 
can be plaster-cast busts of the great man ; ice-cream can 
take the shape of swans, suggesting the "Swan of Avon.'* 
Bonbons are offered in wee boxes representing volumes 
of Shakespeare. 



A PROGRESSIVE ART PARTY. 

As THE party was to be progressive, we prepared five 
tables. Over the first table we suspended a pretty illum- 
inated sign which read, "Famous Faces/' On the table 
we placed twenty-five pictures, cut from magazines and 
advertisements, of celebrated artists. Each picture was 
numbered, the name being carefully removed. The object 
of the game was, of course, to guess the name of each 
great man. We kept a list of the correct names, and 
opposite them, for the purpose of identification, the num- 
bers given. 

For the second table v/e prepared twenty-five prints of 
masterpieces collected from the same sources and num- 
bered in the same way. Of course, only pictures which 
every one is expected to know are chosen, such as familiar 
Madonnas ; "The Last Supper,'' by Da Vinci ; "The An- 
gelus," by Millet ; Burne-Jones' "Golden Stairs" ; Corot's 
forest scenes. No portraits were included, as these were 
reserved for another contest. The name of the picture, 
and that of its painter, were necessary to constitute a cor- 



290 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

rect guess. The placard above this table read "Master- 
pieces/' 

As a third test of the art information of our guests, we 
prepared a small basketful of slips of paper, each slip 
giving the name of some celebrated artist, arranged in 
anagram. In this way Titian masqueraded as Natiti, 
Botticelli as Clibotelti, and Whistler as Sihtrelw. Thirty 
of these tangles we thought were likely to keep the quick- 
est wits busy between signal bells. This contest we 
christened "Jumbled Art." 

The club members were next confronted with twenty- 
five of the world's famous statues, nameless and num- 
bered. We took particular care to select only marbles 
that would or should be familiar to all, such as Angelo's 
"David," "The Venus de Medici," "Winged Victory," 
and their like. The card above this table read "Marble 
Masterpieces." 

The statues were followed by one of the most amusing 
games of the series. We called it "Sliced Portraits." To 
prepare for it, we took magazine and advertisement prints 
of twelve well-known portraits. These we cut lengthwise 
in strips of one and one-half or two inches in width. We 
worked carefully with ruler and pencil, to insure straight 
lines and prevent rough edges. The strips were put into 
a small basket and thoroughly mixed up. At the begin- 
ning of the game each player helped himself to a handful 
of strips and tried to form a picture from them. The 
two players who had succeeded, by the time the bell rang, 
in putting together the greatest number of portraits, pro- 
gressed to the next table. I forgot to say that, before 
cutting the pictures, we pasted each one very smoothly 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 291 

upon thin cardboard. We were very careful in preparing 
the slices to select prints that were, as nearly as possible, 
of the same size and tint, so that color or length would 
not aid in the work of matching. 

"Anagrammed Artists'' greeted our friends at the sixth 
and last stage of the progression. Here we placed twenty- 
five small cards cut from a sheet of cardboard and num- 
bered. On each card was found the name of an artist — 
either of brush or chisel — arranged in anagram. That is, 
drawings and photographs had been cut from magazine 
advertisements and pasted in such a way upon the cards 
that, correctly read, they gave the celebrated name. In 
this way a little picture of an angel which we surrounded 
by a huge letter O in India ink, stood for Angelo. A 
picture of a blackbird in the act of vocalizing stood for 
Whistler. Two very farmery farmers, carpet bag in 
hand, suggested Rubens to the quick-witted player. 

The progression from table to table was arranged 
exactly as for a card affair. Each player drew the num- 
ber of his table, his set and partner in the beginning. An 
inspector passed from table to table at the close of each 
round, examined the work of each player, and sent the 
two most successful young people progressing. 

We wanted to have the prizes appropriate to the nature 
of the entertainment, and to have them better than the 
useless trifles so often given. After much deliberation 
we bought a couple of good photographs of the old 
masters and two illustrated books on art. 



292 Book of Parties and Pastimes 



MARRIED COUPLES' PARTIES. 

A YOUNG literary woman, who recently joined the ranks 
©f matrons, shortly after her marriage gave a married 
couples' party, which caused general amusement and 
much fun. 

Married couples only were asked. Each woman in- 
vited received a card engraved in this formula : 

^'Mrs. Sidney Jones requests the 

pleasure of 

Mrs. James HalHday's presence 

at a Husbands' and Wives' 

entertainm.ent on 

Thursday, June 24, at nine p. m. 

Please bring your matrimonial exhibit with you. 

Of course, the exhibit was understood to be the in- 
ferior half. 

Arriving guests were received by the young hostess 
and her own exhibit, standing together. Printed lists of 
rules and regulations were tacked up in convenient loca- 
tions around the parlor. 

These rules were humorously worded to suggest a 
cat or dog show. They furnished abundant amusement 
for the early arrivals, while waiting for the inevitable 
laggards. 

A few of the rules which linger in memory will serve to 
give the idea: 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 293 

I — If exhibits are unruly they may be brought in by 
the rear entrance. 

2 — Exhibitors must be prepared to take their exhibits 
with them in leaving. 

3 — Exhibits will be fed and watered on the premises. 

When all expected were on the scene, each woman 
guest received a long examination paper, the subject of 
which was her exhibit. The examination consisted of a 
series of questions with blanks opposite, to be filled in by 
the better half. 

The hilarity of this feature may readily be imagined 
from the questions, a few of which follow. 

No matron was excused on any plea whatever from 
filling in the blanks. 

EXAMINATION. 

Is your husband expert in buttoning up the back of 
your shirtwaist ? 

Is he reasonably patient in house-cleaning season? 

Would you rather live in a tent with your husband 
than in a palace with any other man? 

Half an hour was allowed in which to work out the 
answers. It was explained that the wit of the wife in 
avoiding confessions damaging to her partner was the 
special excellence to be aimed at, and for which the prize 
would be awarded. 

The results were judged by a committee composed of 
"a spinster, a widow and a grass widow." 

In another round the men were given bundles con- 
taining samples of dress goods, etc. Each sample was 



294 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

numbered. Pencils and paper were distributed, and each 
husband was required to write down the name of the ma- 
terial, of the shade, and to pronounce upon the quality, 
whether inferior or good, identifying each name with the 
number of the sample for the sake of precision. 

Half an hour was allowed for this strenuous task. The 
man who performed it most satisfactorily won a blue rib- 
bon. The ladies' first prize was *The Love Letters of 
Elizabeth Barrett Browning." Boobies were booklets on 
^'How to be Happy Though Married" and framed mot- 
toes counseling patience, forbearance and kindred virtues 
to married couples. 

Each woman passed in to supper on the arm of her own 
Hfe partner. 

Temperance toasts appropriate to the occasion were 
drunk and responded to by members of the opposite sex. 

One to "Our Husbands," was proposed and answered 
by members of the fair sex. 

The men used a gallant adaptation of an old favorite : 

"Sweethearts and wives; 
The latter always the former." 

White ribbon-tied boxes containing wedding cake were 
distributed as souvenirs, and the hostess, while the couples 
were passing out of the dining-room, cast an old shoe 
after them. 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 295 



PALINDROME PARTY. 

A NOVEL PARLOR ENTERTAINMENT FOUNDED ON WORDS 
READING THE SAME BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS. 

The English language is not rich in palindromes, say 
the authorities, but nevertheless there are quite enough of 
them to found a most successful evening party upon — 
as a bright New York girl proved not long ago. 

It may save some hostess a trip to the ''Unabridged" to 
explain right here that a palindrome is a word or sentence 
which reads backwards and forwards the same. 

Every one knows the famous palindrome sentence by 
which Adam is said to have introduced himself to his new 
wife: ''Madam, I'm x\dam." Then there is the equally 
celebrated one called the soliloquy of Napoleon, "Able 
was I ere I saw Elba." But there are not enough of 
these to found a puzzle series upon, and in any case they 
are more difficult to guess than palindrome words. 

These palindrome words, however, make delightful rid- 
dles. It is only necessary to put each answer that occurs 
to the mind to the test of reading backwards in order to 
determine whether or not one's answer is correct. 

Here is a good set of questions with the answers at- 
tached. To prepare for the game, write the questions on 
as many cards as you expect guests : 

PALINDROMES. 

I. — The first lady of the land, in three letters? Eve. 
2, — Relating to civil life, in five letters? Civic. 



296 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

3. — A legal document, in four letters? Deed. 
4. — What baby says about candy, in four letters? 
"Dood." 

5. — Something the most stupid person can see through, 
in three letters? Eye. 
6. — A gentle domestic animal, in three letters ? Ewe. 
7. — One of the famous pair of giants, in three letters? 
Gog. 

8. — Something used by burglars, in three letters ? Gag. 
9. — Part of the verb to do, in three letters ? Did. 
ID. — A small vehicle, in three letters? Gig. 
II. — The condition of the grass in the morning, in five 
letters ? Dewed. 
12. — The cry of a bird or chick, in four letters? Peep. 
13. — Made a god of, in seven letters? Deified. 
14. — Twilight time, in three letters? Eve. 
15. — A lively and popular pet, in three letters? Pup. 
16. — Describe the wise man's head (colloquially) in five 
letters? Level. 
17. — Something worn by baby, in three letters? Bib. 
18. — A palindrome for the neck, in six letters? Tippit. 
19. — A man's name in abbreviated form, in three letters? 
Bob. 
20. — Part of a ship, in four letters? Poop. 
21. — A word m_eaning before, in three letters. Ere. 
22. — A sharp, sudden noise, in three letters? Pop. 
23. — One who resuscitates, in seven letters^ Reviver. 
24. — A powerful scent, in four letters? Otto. 
25. — A feminine name occurring in the Bible, in four 
letters ? Anna, 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 297 

26. — A diminutive form of the preceding, in three let- 
ters? Nan. 

2y. — A form of address for a lady, in five letters? 
Madam. 

28. — The tramp's way of saying the above? Mum. 

29. — How Biddy, just over, would say it, in three let- 
ters ? Mim. 

30. — The small boy's way of saying it, in three letters? 
Mam. 

31. — ^A slangy palindrome, meaning to be silent, in 
three letters? Mum. 

32. — To choke, in three letters? Gag. 

33. — A vigil, in three letters? Eve. 

34. — A diminutive for father, in three letters ? Dad. 

35.-— Part of an oyster, in three letters? Eye. 

36. — Part of a fruit, in three letters ? Pip. 

2i7^ — A religious devotee, in three letters? Nun. 

38. — A negative prefix, in three letters? Non. 

39- — More red, in six letters ? Redder. 

40. — To allude to, in five letters? Refer. 

41. — To cover the walls a second time, in seven letters? 
Repaper. 

42.- — Rulers of Persia, in five letters ? Shahs. 

43. Old Scandinavian ballads, in five letters? Sagas. 
rv 44. — What the careful observer always does, in four let- 
ters? ' Sees. 

45. — What all singers prefer to sing, in five letters? 
Solos. 

46. — Two palindromes that always go for each other, 
in three letters each? Tit (for) tat. 

47. — An article of belief, in five letters ? Tenet. 



298 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

48. — The sound of a tin horn, in four letters? Toot. 

49. — A colloquial form of address for a little girl, in 
three letters? Sis. 

50. — The same for a little boy in three letters ? Bub. 

51. — A small, common bird, in three letters? Tit. 

52. — Soft nutriment for infants or aged people, in three 
letters ? Pap. 

53. — What palindromes are always held by bishops, in 
four letters? Sees. 

54. — A very small person or thing, in five letters? 
Minim. 

55. — That which produces rolling or turning, in seven 
letters ? Rotator. 

56. — A Dickensonian exclamation that checks or rebukes, 
in six letters ? Tut, tut ! 

57. — Natural divisions of animated life, in five letters? 
Sexes. 

The reverse sides of the question cards should be left 
blank for the answers. 



SUNSHINE SOCIAL 

The "Sunshine Party," arranged by a committee of 
senior high-school girls, is full of suggestion for those in 
search of new ideas, who wish to entertain inexpensively. 

Invitations were written on yellow-tinted paper ; at the 
top of each sheet was painted a little, smiling likeness of 
''Old SoF' surrounded with golden rays. \ 

Decorations of the room were in yellow, and consisted 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 299 

of yellow tissue-paper streamers, yellow paper lanterns, 
with also tin basins and vases of goldenrod. 

The hostesses all wore yellow gowns, or white with 
yellow ribbons. The first frolic on the programme was 
a contest in suns. A dozen cardboard disks had been 
cut out and covered with a gilt paper. Each disk was 
just a trifle larger or smaller than the others. Each was 
marked with a letter, but the letter had no reference to 
the size. These suns were suspended by gilt shop string 
from the ceiling in different parts of the room. Players 
received pencils and paper, and were invited to guess the 
sizes of the suns — naming the largest first, and so on 
down to the smallest. This was done, indicating them by 
the letters as the player thought they should go. It 
proved highly diverting. The man or girl guessing most 
cleverly received a book of nonsense verse. 

Another round passed entertainingly in guessing sons 
and suns of a different sort. This was a puzzle game. 
Cards were passed on which the following queries were 
written. Players were asked to discover in each a son or 
a sun: 

A sun that shines only once a week ? Sunday. 

A son who wrote poetry? Tennyson. 

A son famous as philanthropist and emancipator? 
Garrison. 

A famous singing son? Sontag. 

A sun meaning numerous, various and indefinite? 
Sundry. 

A brilliant jeweled sun? Sunburst. 

A botanical sun that eats insects for food? Sundew. 



300 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

A sun found in the water ? Sunfish. 

A sun directed against sun? Sunshade. 

An evil dog-day sun? Sunstroke. 

A sun that breaks or divides ? Sunder. 

An annoying summer sun ? Sunburn. 

A small boy son? Sonny. 

Two Presidential sons of the same name? Harrison. 

A sun worn by women? Sunbonnet. 

A sun in the garden? Sunflower. 

A Spanish lady's son. Sonora. 

Thirty minutes was the time limit for discovering the 
various suns here riddled. The player answering most 
correctly won a prize. 

Another contest was in seeing who could smile in the 
sunniest way. A prize was offered for the pleasantest, 
and but one person smiled at a time. 

The supper table was, of course, yellow-trimmed, and 
quantities of circular yellow lanterns swung around the 
frieze flooded the room, with light. Place-cards were 
little sun shapes covered with gilt paper, and having the 
names of the guests written on one side. On the reverse 
was written a sunshine quotation. 



OLD MAID PARTY. 

Decorate the cards or correspondence paper on which 
you write your invitations with sketches of spinsters wear- 
ing frilled, caps and enjoying cups of tea. Trim the 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 301 

rooms with parrots and cats cut from colored cardboard. 
Prepare a question game about the celebrated maidens of 
history, as : 

Who is the most celebrated spinster of French history ? 

Jeanne d'Arc. 

Who was the most celebrated spinster of English his- 
tory? 

Queen Elizabeth. 

What favorite writer of girls' stories never married? 

Louisa M. Alcott. 

What beautiful and romantic girl in Tennyson's poem 
died for love of a gallant knight ? 

Elaine, the lily maid of Astolat. 

A contest in which each girl writes a model love letter, 
as she thinks it should be, will bring out some diverting 
specimens. Award a prize for the cleverest. 

Then have a cat without a tail, as in the famous 
Donkey Party. The fun lies in seeing who can furnish 
him with a caudal appendage. This has to be done with 
the eyes bandaged, of course, one girl being blindfolded 
at a time. 

If the programme is still not quite completed arrange 
several tables at which Old Maid is played progressively 
with two Old Maid cards in each pack. 



A NOVEL SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT. 

A SCHOOL PARTY is exceedingly amusing among people 
who know each other well and will be new to many host- 
esses. The woman or young girl who seems to have 



302 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

exhausted other ideas for entertaining at sHght cost 
might try this idea next time. 

The parlor is furnished to represent as much as pos- 
sible an old-fashioned schoolhouse, or rather to burlesque 
this seat of learning. Benches and desks will probably 
be too difficult to obtain, but there may be a single desk 
for the teacher, and the unupholstered wooden chairs 
from the kitchen arranged in rows for the scholars. 

The hostess acts as teacher, or, if she prefers, some 
lively friend previously initiated may be asked to assume 
this important role. 

Each guest, as he or she is welcomed, receives a school 
slate with pencil and slate eraser. 

There should be a ''dunce stooF' and dunce cap to take 
the place of the usual forfeit, and this must be occupied 
a few moments by the player who fares worst in each 
respective competition. 

When the company have assembled ''schooF* is an- 
nounced by the ringing of a little bell by the teacher. The 
pupils range themselves on the chairs facing the instruc- 
tor's desk and prepare for ''lessons.'' 

One of the first of these might be a novel spelling com- 
petition in which the questions asked by the hostess are 
answered by letters having the sound of words. Thus, 
spell a summer dress goods in two letters ? To which the 
answer is P. K. (Pique). Following is a list of the spell- 
ing questions: 

Spell Katherine in two letters? K. T. (Katy). 
Spell the Christian name of Charlotte Bronte's sister 
in three letters? M. L. E. (Emily). 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 303 

Spell a despicable trait of character in two letters? 
N. V. (Envy). 

What all earthly things come to in two letters? D. K. 
(Decay). 

Spell the octogenarian in two letters? A. T. (Eighty). 

Spell not difficult in two letters? E. Z. (Easy). 

Spell to prophesy with a numeral and a letter? 4 C. 

Spell what each person desires to do in this competi- 
tion in two letters? X. L. 

Spell a charming imaginary place beloved of poets in 
three letters? R. K. D. (Arcady). 

Spell endowed with wisdom in two letters? Y. Y. 
(Wise). 

Spell a school composition in two letters? S. A. 
(Essay). 

Spell a medicine causing sleep in two letters and a 
numeral? O. P. 8 (Opiate). 

Spell a funeral poem in three letters? L. E. G. 
(Elegy). 

Spell too much in two letters? X. S. (Excess). 

Spell another form of Helen in two letters? L. N. 
(Ellen). 

A good booR of charades or conundrums would make 
a suitable prize for the man or girl who is most success- 
ful in his or her spelling lesson. Another idea would 
be to give the player who spells most words correctly be- 
fore the second bell rings, a good behavior ticket, and to 
have these good behavior tickets count toward prize to 
be given at the close of all the games. The person whose 
lesson contains most mistakes or blank spaces must oc- 



304 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

cupy the dunce's stool and wear the pointed cap for sev- 
eral minutes as a forfeit. 

If it is possible to obtain a school blackboard for the 
use of the scholars, the second frolic might be a writing 
lesson in which each man or girl writes a sentence on the 
blackboard, using chalk and the left hand to write with. 
Give a prize in the form of a silver pen or pencil; or, 
following the other idea, a "good ticket" rewards the per- 
son whose writing is pronounced best by the hostess. Of 
course, if the blackboard is not obtainable, this compe- 
tition can be played with the slates, but it makes matters 
more amusing if the writing is visible to all. 

A composition is another idea which never fails to 
produce fun. Ten minutes only is allowed for this and 
the slates are used for it. Of course, the subject chosen 
will be humorous or timely. Ask the pupils to write, for 
example, on 'The Industrious Ant,'' or *'My Favorite 
Study," or call for an essay on the holiday in celebration 
of which the party is held, if there is one. Give a new 
book on some timely topic as a prize. 

For another round secure a couple of school "readers." 
The older the fashion of these the better, as the stilted 
style and queer woodcuts will add to the amusement. 
Have each person read aloud for five minutes, skipping 
certain words — "and," "I," "it," for example, or saying 
"buzz" when he reaches these, instead of pronouncing 
them. Give the prize, or the "Good" ticket, to the player 
who reads with fewest mistakes. The forbidden words 
should be changed from time to time in order to add to 
the difficulty of the game. Give one of the magnifying 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 305 

glasses so useful in reading fine print if a trophy is in 
order. 

By this time the bell will probably ring for *'recess." 
Refreshments are served in little school baskets, two per- 
sons sharing one basket. The goodies which go to make 
up the school lunch are appropriate. Sandwiches, cakes, 
oranges, olives, apples and bananas, with, perhaps, apples 
and nut candy, would make a good selection. Milk, cocoa 
and ice-cream if desired may be passed on trays. 



A GOLDENROD PARTY. 

For a pleasant evening, either indoors or out, try a 
Goldenrod Party. 

This idea is equally good for a company of young 
people or for the tots, altering the programme of fun to 
suit the ages of the com.pany expected. 

On the morning of the appointed date make a trip to 
the fields in search of goldenrod. This can be arranged 
in wooden washtubs, which are afterward wreathed in 
green or covered with green tissue paper. 

Filled into jars and vases it is used in different parts 
of the room. Bank the unused fireplace with it, mass 
it upon the mantelshelf and let huge bunches tied with 
yellow or green ribbon trim the chandelier. 

For a company of older boys and girls, arrange a com- 
petition in drawing a spray of goldenrod, which may be 
done with the eyes open or closed, according to previous 
agreement. 

Give some little fancy trifle in yellow as a prize for the 



306 Book of Parties and Pastimes 

best drawing. It would be amusing, instead of passing 
around the cards, to blindfold each one in turn and send 
him or her to the blackboard for the drawing. Of course, 
many would fail to reach the board, and the flowers 
would, moreover, be most of them very laughable speci- 
mens, when accomplished at all. Give a dainty vase as 
a gift for the best attempt. 

Other contests could consist of a herbarium to be 
formed out of the word *'goldenrod/' with a prize for the 
boy or girl discovering most other words therein, and a 
four-line stanza on the flower, in which the most grace- 
ful poet is rewarded wnth a box of candy. 

Let the children at a juvenile Goldenrod Party try to 
draw the flower for a prize. The literary games will be 
beyond them, and the following simpler fun can be sub- 
stituted : 

The children stand in a circle, with one child in the 
middle. Each child has previously been given a slip bear- 
ing the name of some animal. These slips are seen by 
all the company. The child in the center of the ring holds 
a rod covered with gilt paper. 

When the hostess claps her hands first the children 
dance around their companion holding the goldenrod. A 
second signal, and they come to a standstill. The child 
in the center then points his or her goldenrod at some 
member of the company, who must immediately respond 
with the name of the animal on his slip. If the golden- 
rod in the center succeeds in taking some one off guard, 
this person must exchange places with him. The game 
then proceeds as before. 

At the end let all the children form bouquets from the 



Booh of Parties and Pastimes 307 

goldenrod in tubs and award a prize for the prettiest 
nosegay formed. These bouquets are retained as sou- 
venirs of the occasion. 



AN ICE CARNIVAL. 

On a warm day in June the mere name of an Ice Car- 
nival is cool and alluring. The entertainer who believes 
in the potency of suggestion will surely arrange one. 

Invitations may be issued and the rooms decorated as 
previously described for a parlor snow frolic. Hostess 
and any one who assists in receiving the guests should 
dress in white. In fact, at this time of year it would not 
be too exacting to require the guests also to wear white 
costumes. 

On a cardboard scroll are written the various rules of 
the evening. The scroll is finished with a border of white 
cotton batting snow. Some of the rules are : 

Carnival guests must not carry fans. 

No allusion whatever must be made to the heat. 

Such words as ''sun/' ''melting/' "tropical/' "sun- 
stroke" must not be pronounced. 

A real thermometer is embedded in a bowl of ice so 
as to give a freezing temperature, at least, and a large 
imitation of the same useful apparatus fashioned from 
cardboard shows the mercury "below zero." 

Any one transgressing any of the rules inscribed on 
the scroll is condemned to expiate this offense by some 
ludicrous stunt. 

He or she might be required, for example, to mem- 



308 Booh of Parties and Pastimes 

orize the poem ''Beautiful Snow/' to draw a snow man 
on the blackboard with eyes shut, to encircle the room 
three times holding a morsel of ice in the palm. 

One of the contests of the evening is a puzzle game 
founded on words ending wath the syllable ''ice" or "ise." 
A list of the riddles is given to show the plan: 

SKATING RINK. 

The ice of inducement ? Entice. 

The fussy ice? Precise. 

The ice most feared by v/omankind? Mice. 

The ice of the poltroon? Cowardice. 

The ice of the unjust? Prejudice. 

The ice of games? Dice. 

The ice of disease? Jaundice. 

The ice that should satisfy? Suffice. 

The ice of religious worship ? Sacrifice. 

The aromatic ice? Spice. 

The^ ice of established value ? Price. 

The ice of invention? Device. 

The ice found in woman's dress? Bodice. 

The ice of public employment ? Office. 

The ice of the cathedral builder? Edifice. 

The ice of the trickster ? Artifice. 

The ice of sacred vessels? Chalice. 

The ice of steep ascents? Precipice. 

The ice found in woods? Coppice. 

The ice among grains? Rice. 

The miser's ice? Avarice. 

The ice of the whimsical? Caprice. 



Book of Parties and Pastimes 30Q 

The ice of habit ? Practice. 

The ice of the youthful tradesman? Apprentice. 

The ice of the righteous ? Justice. 

The ice of those employed? Service. 

The ice found in casement windows? Lattice. 

The ice of peacemakers? Armistice. 

The player who in fifteen minutes can riddle out most 
varieties of "ice" wins a glass paper-weight in the form 
of a block of ice. 

In another round white cards having white pencils at- 
tached to them with baby ribbon are distributed and play- 
ers are given ten minutes in which to write down the 
names of all the cold things they can recall. A few of 
the available terms will serve to give the plan : 

Snow Man, Snow Image, Snowdrift, Ice-cream, Ice- 
berg, Refrigerator, Ice-floe, Polar Bear, North Pole, 
Frozen Custard, Cold, Icy, Frost-bitten, Chilblain, Frost, 
Winter, Hoary, Esquimaux, Peary, Snowflake, Iceland, 
Frigid, Ice-locked, Chilly, Icicle, Ice-water, Arctic Circle, 
Boreas, Snow Queen, etc. 

A copy of **Snow Bound'' and other poems by Whittier 
would make an acceptable gift for the player recalling the 
greatest number of chilly nouns before the second bell 
rings. 

' Ice-cream and cake, with ice-cold lemonade and rasp- 
berry vinegar for beverages, would make a simple yet 
sufficient refreshment for a warm day party. 



4 




f 



